The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

by: Jonas Jonasson

Letitia

Picked this book because she was tired of reading about war, tragedies, fateful decisions and wanted something different and light hearted.  Worried if there would be anything to discuss.  Forrest Gump comparison as Alan was also never fazed and oblivious also comparison to Zoolander (now I have to watch that movie to see what she is talking about).  Found the book farcical, droll, amusing, entertaining and would make a great vacation book.  Took away from this book .. live everyday to its fullest. 

Letitia herself wrote: I also compared the book to Fargo because of the deadpan humor which reminded me of the style the author used and how the characters in the movie acted.  The reference to Zoolander was only because some characters were so stupid, yet had amazing and unlikely successful outcomes in both this book and that movie. You need get a little further in the book to get to know Herbert and Amanda.  Also the crooks in the book are very stupid for the most part too.

Miles

Felt the same as Letitia.  Amalgam (lal la la la) of Forest Gump.  Found that 1/3 of way through it got tedious.   100 pages too long.  Characters were two dimensional.  Felt that the author had trouble finding conclusion.  

Artie

Amusing would sum up this book and that is not a bad term.  Liked Alan’s philosophy … “if that’s the worst that can happen” Read stories to his kids growing up and they always wanted more. Artie would just make up these stories as it went along = which is how this book felt = no thread = whatever the author wanted it to be.  Amusing and not a bad read.

Becky

Convoluted cleaner (?) tale. Like the understated humor amusing.  Connections were clever... the Atom bomb, Spy, Disarmament with Reagan  liked Allan and all he surrounded himself with.    Glad they lived “happily ever after”.  Enjoyed this book.

K’lynn

Looked at the book as a fairytale but kind of believable – found herself laughing out loud "Sonya SIT!" Funny book – did not take seriously.  All characters were likable   Would make a great Cohen brothers type of movie.

Maggie

Did a bit of reading about the book and found that the author came up with the title first and then the story.  First 1/3 funny and then bumped down.  Did not like how the book went back and forth.  Allen reminded her of Peter Sellers.  Liked the modern day story better too much background story.  Was Allen clever or hapless?

Michelle

Started this book last year. Loved the title and first 50 pages.  Found herself ½ way through asking “are you kidding me”.  Impressed that author would write a story and tell it on paper.  Liked the 100 year history and wondered why the author used the first paragraph as the last paragraph.  The ending very funny = author came up with a legit ending.

Carolyn

Gave this book a generous 5.  Kept getting Julius and Allan mixed up and didn’t care.  Allan – the even keel guy – was oblivious. Grew tired of the history and didn’t care enough to look up what was true.  Liked Allan’s “why not” attitude.  Carolyn said she is a not very daring and would never have climbed out of the window but liked thinking about climbing out and actually doing it.  Like that he made friends wherever he went and did not judge.

Sandy

I am more than 80 percent through so I can not technically give this a rating.  I expected this book to be light and funny so when I found all the history I was disappointed and looked forward to those chapters ending.  I loved the friendships and Allan’s easy going way. Wish I was a bit more like him.

Pat

Sorry I couldn't make it. I liked the unique narrative at first, but it and the outlandish connections to so many world leaders eventually grew tiresome. The modern story lost my patience when the Boss turned out to be an old buddy of the hot dog stand owner's brother. Still, fun in some LOL parts. I also didn't finish, so I can not technically give a rating either. Sandy asked me to clean her notes up, which I have not done except for the changes that were most obvious. 

Becky has next book pick – Code Name Verity by Elisabeth Wein.  It was also decided that our December meeting with be a gift exchange and a lively game of book trivia. I welcome ideas but they can’t be specific .  Questions will include some that all of our current members may not have been a member at that time.  Just remember this is for fun it's not meant to be completive (competitive?)(Artie).