Jan 142014
This slim, fun volume is a lovely holiday distraction which could have been relegated to the pile of Forrest Gump feel-good-alikes, but is rescued by a complete and utterly ridiculous level of bonkers. Allan Karlsson leaves his nursing home just before his centenary birthday party and takes advantage of a long series of coincidences both fun and improbable. The story splits in two: the present and Allan’s even more improbably past, liberally lashed with glasses of vodka. While the conceit does begin to break down, tired, once Allan’s met a who’s who of 20th Century history, it’s still a pleasure.
Get it here (UK) or here (US)