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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This book had some funny moments, and I enjoyed reading the present day events, but all the chapters set in the past dragged on way too long and I got very bored with most of it. The book would be so much better if the past chapters were significantly shorter. I also wish I had known this was a historical-fiction-adjacent book before selecting it.
Maybe 2 1/2 stars. I just found this story so outrageous and annoying. I ended up just skimming through the end because I couldn't take it any more!
Quirky, interesting and a funny little story. I wanted to find out what was going to happen next with each new decision he made.
I really enjoyed the beginning but it fizzled quickly after that. It started off ridiculous and funny but then became ridiculous and boring and never quite found that sweet spot it started off at.
If you ever wanted a summary of the important events from the past 100 years, this is the novel for you - although there is a fair amount of speculation and fictionalization, making it historically inaccurate. Jonasson tactfully ties political characters and facts together using Allan, the 100 year-old escapee. With his century of experience and knowledge, Allan is able to outwit everyone who is trying to bring him back to the Old People's Home and convince others to join him in his escape.
Many aspects of the novel are fun and witty, but it also drags on and on (and on!) I guess a hundred years feels like that. I'm not sure why it has been so highly rated. It was entertaining to a point but then it became mundane and eventually annoying. I began skimming through the historical sections after the halfway point. It also took me about 3 months to read it, since I found more pressing (and enjoyable) things to read in the meantime.
Many aspects of the novel are fun and witty, but it also drags on and on (and on!) I guess a hundred years feels like that. I'm not sure why it has been so highly rated. It was entertaining to a point but then it became mundane and eventually annoying. I began skimming through the historical sections after the halfway point. It also took me about 3 months to read it, since I found more pressing (and enjoyable) things to read in the meantime.
This book is alright. It rambled along with seemingly little to drive the plot through increasingly ridiculous episodes - I think these were meant to read as satire but the jokes didn’t land, at least for me. It plodded along at about the speed it’s elderly centenarian protagonist walks. For someone who likes their plots with a certain amount of movement and anticipation I found this hard to finish. Not bad writing but the pacing is off.
This could have been great, but the longer it went on, the more the main character became Forrest Gump. I have nothing against Forrest Gump (I actually enjoyed the movie), but instead of being funny the story became ridiculous. I suppose if one approaches it as a fable the plot twists won't be as annoying.
this started out being a fun read. quirky unlikely adventures over the course of a man's life that reminded me a bit of Forrest Gump, but it just didn't hold my attention.. after about half the book I didn't much care because it meandered so much I started not caring about the myriad range of characters. then finally at the end, no resolution.. eh. still, I gave three stars as I think some people like mindless gibberish like this.