I rejoin the blogosphere with my musings on Swedish author Jonas Johanasson's incredibly entertaining tale of Allan Karlsson. This book's back cover summary is possibly the most accurate one I've ever come across.
"A reluctant centenarian with a life much like Forrest Gump's (if Gump were an explosives expert with a fondness for vodka) decides it's not too late to start over..."
Nailed it. Just like Forrest, Karlsson finds himself in several "world events" - often politically charged once, despite his self-proclaimed disinterest and even distaste for anything political. Truman, Mao, Stalin to name a few are influenced by Karlsson as he travels from small town Sweden to Spain to Russia, China, Korea, America, Iran, Bali and back to small town Sweden, where he shorlty embarks on yet ANOTHER adventure, involving a drug lord, a few petty criminals, a life-long learner and an elephant.
Always witty and charming, Jonasson's book is such a delight to pick up on one's lunch break, on one's bus rides, anytime really - and it's one of those "tough to put down'ers". Indeed, I almost picked it up and started reading during my work day, I so wanted to find out what would next happen to Allan and his buddies.
I can't say too much without giving too much away. Small small part mystery, part comedy, and almost a historical metafiction (lit degreed. Boom), The 100-Year-Old Man is great, and I totally recommend it as a light and yet intriguing summer read.
Go forth! And look out for more frequent posts in the future (fingers crossed).
