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readwithkai's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
peter_gagne's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
laura_03's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mathman329's review against another edition
4.0
2024 Book Review - Book No. 14: “The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old Man” written by Jonas Jonasson, narrated by Peter Kenney
Date started: 3/14/24
Date finished: 3/27/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like the movie "Up", the movie "Forest Gump", and the first "Hundred-Year-Old Man" novel)
Spoiler free review: I first came across "The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared" about 5 years ago on some internet book recommendation list from Buzzfeed or some other site. I wouldn't recommend anyone read this (the second) book before reading the original. Without the background knowledge from the first story, this might seem like some sort of aimless tale. To be fair, the original was also this way to a degree, but that also makes this sequel feel more familiar. In both cases, the crazy situations Allan Karlsson continues to find himself in creates feels like an offbeat comedy film tinged with Scandinavian flair.
Like in the original, Karlsson finds himself globetrotting and hobnobbing with numerous world leaders - Kim Jong Un, Putin, Merkel, even Trump. One thing this book proves, though, is that the present and future may not always be as easy to write about as the past. Karlsson's interactions with the likes of Einstein, Stalin, Truman, and Kim Il Sung in the first novel benefitted from the true history to build off of for fiction's sake. Writing about current (or at least more recent) political figures didn't have quite the same effect, perhaps because it was a little too on the nose in its depiction of some of our current world leaders.
Overall, the rest of the journey is a bit muddled. Based on both novels, that's not entirely off-brand for Allan Karlsson, it just seems like there's not much plot being followed. I was surprised to see how everything did finally tie together nicely at the end, though. Ultimately, it was a light, fun read that could have been too heavy, but Jonasson's whimsical writing made it just another adventure in the life of the world's most (insert diabolical? ingenious? fortunate?) centenarian. We should all be so lucky as Allan.
Date started: 3/14/24
Date finished: 3/27/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like the movie "Up", the movie "Forest Gump", and the first "Hundred-Year-Old Man" novel)
Spoiler free review: I first came across "The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared" about 5 years ago on some internet book recommendation list from Buzzfeed or some other site. I wouldn't recommend anyone read this (the second) book before reading the original. Without the background knowledge from the first story, this might seem like some sort of aimless tale. To be fair, the original was also this way to a degree, but that also makes this sequel feel more familiar. In both cases, the crazy situations Allan Karlsson continues to find himself in creates feels like an offbeat comedy film tinged with Scandinavian flair.
Like in the original, Karlsson finds himself globetrotting and hobnobbing with numerous world leaders - Kim Jong Un, Putin, Merkel, even Trump. One thing this book proves, though, is that the present and future may not always be as easy to write about as the past. Karlsson's interactions with the likes of Einstein, Stalin, Truman, and Kim Il Sung in the first novel benefitted from the true history to build off of for fiction's sake. Writing about current (or at least more recent) political figures didn't have quite the same effect, perhaps because it was a little too on the nose in its depiction of some of our current world leaders.
Overall, the rest of the journey is a bit muddled. Based on both novels, that's not entirely off-brand for Allan Karlsson, it just seems like there's not much plot being followed. I was surprised to see how everything did finally tie together nicely at the end, though. Ultimately, it was a light, fun read that could have been too heavy, but Jonasson's whimsical writing made it just another adventure in the life of the world's most (insert diabolical? ingenious? fortunate?) centenarian. We should all be so lucky as Allan.
maiarmash's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
never known people to be so into asparagus
hippieadjacent's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
chartsh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
jemjez's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Unnecessary but amusing sequel, similar in tone and direction.
3.5 stars.
Allan Karlsson. He delighted many a few years ago with his escapades. We left him settled and ready to enjoy his remaining years with friends. So it was a surprise to see a new title with the former nuclear expert. It didn't feel necessary but a winning formula and fondly-remembered protagonist is never turned away...
Well, I felt it covered some old ground, with a suitcase of uranium taking the place of the suitcase of money as MacGuffin. Allan and Julius end up accidentally stealing a hot air balloon and floating over to start a new series of name drops, from Kim Jong-Un and Donald Trump to Angela Merkel.
There were subplots involving other friends and acquaintances, but I always liked seeing the famous 'names' and their storylines.
The story didn't feel as though it was anything new, or that it had to be told. While it was amusing, it did feel like a rehash. One element was very funny in particular - Allan discovers the Tablet, his window on the world, which he regularly tries to share, despite Julius's frustration.
I accessed this as an audiobook, and it might have put me off, had I know that the narrator would use an English accent for Allan - it didn't fit in, as Allan is clearly described as a Swedish man. The voice annoyed me every time Allan spoke, though some of the others sounded just like their real-world counterparts!
A lot of characters and subplots to follow on audiobook, it would most likely have worked better on a screen/page.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading e-copy.
3.5 stars.
Allan Karlsson. He delighted many a few years ago with his escapades. We left him settled and ready to enjoy his remaining years with friends. So it was a surprise to see a new title with the former nuclear expert. It didn't feel necessary but a winning formula and fondly-remembered protagonist is never turned away...
Well, I felt it covered some old ground, with a suitcase of uranium taking the place of the suitcase of money as MacGuffin. Allan and Julius end up accidentally stealing a hot air balloon and floating over to start a new series of name drops, from Kim Jong-Un and Donald Trump to Angela Merkel.
There were subplots involving other friends and acquaintances, but I always liked seeing the famous 'names' and their storylines.
The story didn't feel as though it was anything new, or that it had to be told. While it was amusing, it did feel like a rehash. One element was very funny in particular - Allan discovers the Tablet, his window on the world, which he regularly tries to share, despite Julius's frustration.
I accessed this as an audiobook, and it might have put me off, had I know that the narrator would use an English accent for Allan - it didn't fit in, as Allan is clearly described as a Swedish man. The voice annoyed me every time Allan spoke, though some of the others sounded just like their real-world counterparts!
A lot of characters and subplots to follow on audiobook, it would most likely have worked better on a screen/page.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading e-copy.