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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.
sleightoffeet's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD performed by Peter Kenny.
3.5***
From the book jacket: It all begins with a hot-air balloon trip and three bottles of champagne. Allan and Julius are ready for some spectacular views, but they’re not expecting to land in the sea and be rescued by a North Korean ship, and they could never have imagined that the captain of the ship would be harboring a suitcase full of contraband uranium, on a nuclear weapons mission for Kim Jong-un….
My reactions
The scenarios are every bit as ridiculous, outlandish, and unbelievable as in the first book, but I just love the way Allan just “goes with the flow.” Nothing really upsets him; he keeps his wits about him and manages to cleverly work his way out of a number of dicey situations. Along the way there are encounters with a number of world leaders, including Donald Trump and Angela Merkel (among others).
It’s a fast, fun, romp of a novel that had me giggling in places.
Peter Kenny does a fine job performing the audiobook. I really love the way he interprets Allan, but his Kim Jong-un is almost unintelligible, and his Donald Trump is not even close to begin accurate.
3.5***
From the book jacket: It all begins with a hot-air balloon trip and three bottles of champagne. Allan and Julius are ready for some spectacular views, but they’re not expecting to land in the sea and be rescued by a North Korean ship, and they could never have imagined that the captain of the ship would be harboring a suitcase full of contraband uranium, on a nuclear weapons mission for Kim Jong-un….
My reactions
The scenarios are every bit as ridiculous, outlandish, and unbelievable as in the first book, but I just love the way Allan just “goes with the flow.” Nothing really upsets him; he keeps his wits about him and manages to cleverly work his way out of a number of dicey situations. Along the way there are encounters with a number of world leaders, including Donald Trump and Angela Merkel (among others).
It’s a fast, fun, romp of a novel that had me giggling in places.
Peter Kenny does a fine job performing the audiobook. I really love the way he interprets Allan, but his Kim Jong-un is almost unintelligible, and his Donald Trump is not even close to begin accurate.
zoecrainfields's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
gooddogvegas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ld153'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? No
4.0
gardenmommy's review against another edition
Became bored with it. Too many chapters of political issues and corruption.
ivegonereading's review against another edition
2.5
In the prologue Jonas Jonasson mentions how he never planned to write a sequel and I think that it shines through in the course of this book. The first installment is cute, funny, adventurous and just a little bit outrageous. This book tried to capture that vibe, but failed. In the end it isn't really about Allan but more about the other characters and that is what made it a 2.5 star read for me.
I also didn't like it being a satire about modern politics as well, it felt misplaced.
I also didn't like it being a satire about modern politics as well, it felt misplaced.
codetrasher's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.0
cassandra_t's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story of Allan, a newly 101 year old man who is all about adventure. It begins with him receiving a tablet, that he thinks is the greatest gift ever. Then when going in a hot air balloon for his birthday, he ends up crashing into the Indian Ocean, being picked up by a North Korean vessel, and ending up lying to save his life. The lies turns into one of many and his hilarious adventure continues with him travelling the world and trying to figure out how to do what’s best and not what’s easiest.
This book reminded me of old shows like Pink Panther and Get Smart, with someone who somehow bumbles their way through predicaments, but that always come out of them winning. I loved the old man in it and his ways of getting out of sticky situations. I, however, was not as fond of how much of a political aspect it had. Some parts were rather hard to get through, as I just wasn’t interested, but I kept reading simply for the old man.
This book reminded me of old shows like Pink Panther and Get Smart, with someone who somehow bumbles their way through predicaments, but that always come out of them winning. I loved the old man in it and his ways of getting out of sticky situations. I, however, was not as fond of how much of a political aspect it had. Some parts were rather hard to get through, as I just wasn’t interested, but I kept reading simply for the old man.