177. Book Review - The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

Hello lovelies.

Today's post is another book review, to add to my collection - the most recent being Salt & Honey, a wonderful book set in South Africa, which I reviewed here.

I just finished reading Jonas Jonasson's The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared after a couple of weeks of getting well and truly stuck into it. I picked this book up in Waterstone's months ago and it was sat on my to read shelf for quite a while before intrigue got the better of me and I decided I'd best give it a go. And, believe me, I'm so glad I did.

 (As you can see from the photo, my copy is now well worn after many trips in the bath with me!)

The title was what had initially drawn me to the book. It's not everyday that you get to read about a hundred year old man making a run for it. 

The story is based in Sweden and the main character, one Allan Karlsson, is an elderly but most certainly not decrepit Swedish man, with a wealth of adventure and experience behind him, and he isn't ready to give up those adventures just yet. So, he does exactly what it says on the tin cover: he climbs out of the window, and disappears.

One of my favourite things about the narrative style was that it swapped between present day - as care home escapee Allan travels across Sweden with no real destination in mind - and a past tense, almost biographical, format; giving the reader an in-depth insight into Allan's former years, from birth right up to just before he climbed out of the window, on his final, epic adventure. 

We learn, throughout the novel, that Allan played a key part in many historical events - from the making of the atom bomb to communism in Russia, China and North Korea; all seemingly unlikely but so ridiculously believable due to Jonasson's story telling prowess. 

There are many crucial characters in the novel and none of them fail to deliver on substance or relevance, each adding something to the story and complimenting Allan's character. Each character is also described in a somewhat humorous way, and I loved that this humour was present throughout the book. It takes a lot for a book to make me laugh out loud, but this one did. 

As well as a hugely entertaining, and at times very moving, tale The Hundred-Year-Old Man is also an inspiring read. It made me want to forget about planning and worrying and just embrace the moment and see where it can lead, just as Allan does for his whole life, seemingly without a care in the world. 

I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little bit different, and to anyone who likes to read something with the ability to make them smile. I can't wait to see the film, I just hope it lives up to my expectations!

120. Reading // Reading Habits Tag

The wonderful Katie from IntoTheBookCase tagged me in this fun #bookbloggers Reading Habits tag, so I just had to give it a whirl. I love reading and it takes up a lot of my time (not that I'm complaining!).  I occasionally post book reviews too, so feel free to check those out too; Reconstructing Amelia, Half of a Yellow Sun and The Book Thief. 

Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I'm happy to read wherever I am, but when I'm at home I like to snuggle up in bed or curl up on the sofa. It has to be somewhere comfortable where I can happily relax for hours.

Bookmark or random piece of paper?

I never use bookmarks, I'm one of those people who folds the corner over, however, when I was younger I used to love bookmarks and even spent my pocket money on them (book-worm from a young age!)

Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or certain number of pages?

I prefer to finish a chapter before stopping, as otherwise I find myself a little bit lost when I go back to reading. If I haven't got time to make it to the end of the chapter, I'll just wait until the end of the paragraph instead. 

Do you eat or drink while reading?

I often read on my lunch break at work so eating & reading have to work together for me! As you might imagine, this frequently ends with my book, clothes or face splattered in food!

Do you watch TV or listen to music while reading?

I can't watch TV whilst reading, to be honest, I don't understand how anybody could?! When I'm at Shane's and he's playing on his XBOX or watching something on the TV whilst I read, I just put some music on, but something relaxing so that I can keep my mind on the book.

One book at a time or several at once?

I can never read more than one book at once. I remember doing my English Literature AS Levels and not being able to read anything for pleasure, because I was always studying a book for school instead, and since then I've struggled to read more than one at a time, but I prefer it that way. I like to be able to completely focus on one set of characters and one story.

Reading at home or everywhere?

I do most of my reading at home, but I also read on my lunchbreak, when travelling and sometimes if I just fancy a bit of downtime out of the house, I'll head to Costa and read my book; just me, a cuppa and a good book.

Reading out loud or silently in your head?

In my head, always.

Do you ever read ahead or skip pages?

I'm so bad for reading ahead! If I'm really enjoying a book, I always want to know how it ends and I have to physically restrain myself from reading the last few pages or googling it! If I'm finding a section a bit tiresome, I'll often skip a page or two, too.

Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

Nothing I own ever looks new for long! After carrying a book around in my bag, everyday for a week, my books are usually covered in make-up, food and God knows what else! 

Do you write in your books?

I don't think I ever write in books, apart from study books. If I find a quote I love, I just put a sticky note in there or fold the page over.

I'm fairly new to the #bookbloggers community, so I don't know many book bloggers to nominate, but if you'd like to do this tag then feel free, just let me know!