Jonas Jonasson introduces us to Allan, a centenarian no less, who has decided he does not wish to attend his hundredth birthday party at the nursing home in which he currently resides, oh no. So Allan takes it upon himself to climb out of his window, in his pee slippers of course, and embark on one last adventure across Sweden. It soon emerges that Allan is not quite as insignificant as one might think, he has had his hand in some of the major incidents in the past one hundred years of world history, and so follows a tale of atom bombs, murder, gangsters and a lovely elephant called Sonya.You couldn't ask for a book with a more varied host of characters, not to mention some very famous historical figures and tyrants (such as Stalin, Mao and Churchill). Allan is such an endearing, vodka swigging old chap whose influential adventures across the world will have you in fits of giggles, even if, like me, some of the historical references are a bit lost on you (I need to brush up on my history).
The light, playful humour throughout also offers a darker edge which will leave you pondering some of Allan's wise words and actions. This novel is the perfect read for a lazy afternoon and it is easy to pick up again even if you have had to pop it to one side for a few days. Jonasson pokes a great deal of fun out of useless law officials and puts a cynical twist on anything even remotely political, Allan does not believe in politics you see. It is just pure black comedy genius.
My favourite part? When the rather lovely Sonya (the elephant) shows off her understanding of the word 'sit' to her new friend Allan, whilst a rather nasty chap is waving a gun around behind her. Brilliant. I was also quite fond of Albert Einstein's illegitimate brother, Herbert, a man of rather limited intelligence.
Essentially this novel is a completely bonkers road trip across Sweden, on the run from gangsters, police, journalists and the head of Allan's nursing home, it is also a glorious, humorous rewriting of some of the last century's key events. There are so many memorable moments in this novel you will be waffling to your friends about them for weeks. Jonasson's masterpiece has been, quite aptly, likened to the film "Forrest Gump" and I can't help agree with that perspective, but I loved this novel more because of its ability to be a story that just about anyone could enjoy!
Aww, seems awesome.
ReplyDeleteI just downloaded it, can't wait to start reading ! :D
It is great fun!! It made me realise how very little I know about 20th century world history, still catching up with that :D
ReplyDeleteDear Doctors Without Borders Sweden and Doctors Without Borders International President Dr. Joanne Liu,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Christine Loof, a mother of two children, from Sydney, Australia.
Here is the truth about the famous Swedish author Jonas Jonasson, his Chinese-Indonesian ex-wife Alex Tjoa, and their son Jonatan Jonasson Tjoa. After you read this story, I would ask that you listen to your inner voice and conscience to help Alex Tjoa and her son Jonatan. We are fully aware that at this moment Jonas Jonasson is a media favorite due to the exponential sale revenues that his books bring and promotes his cooperation with Doctors Without Borders widely in the media (http://goo.gl/4NcBKd) to boost his branding, but let us not allow money to eliminate our conscience and integrity. We must be the same person in private and in public. Having two identities is an example of a lack of integrity.
As a highly knowledgeable and morally courageous human rights activist with decades of service to mankind, Alex Tjoa has given Jonas Jonasson many valuable ideas for his first book, but ironically she has to endure indescribable and immense abuse in the Nobel Peace Prize country of Sweden due to the psychopathic control of Jonas Jonasson who separates their son Jonatan (born in 2007) from his mother Alex Tjoa since 2009, without any contact whatsoever by using perjuries (http://goo.gl/ZpnozR) and defying the Swedish Court of Appeal's decision.
Alex Tjoa asks our help to reunite her with her son Jonatan and to regain the shared custody that she had in Switzerland. She has no intention to gain a full custody of Jonatan. She believes that it is for the best interest of Jonatan to have equal access to both of his biological parents. As a descendent of a Chinese-Indonesian, Jonatan has the rights to know and learn about his cultural background so that he can grow to be a well balanced human being who can contribute positively to the society.
Alex is also a very talented photographer (alextjoa.com) with an international recognition. Her works have been published in various publications. Femina, the largest women's magazine in Indonesia, and a respected newspaper Nova (http://goo.gl/dW5Kxt) have published the story of #SaveJonatan (savejonatan.blogspot.com). The citizens of Indonesia are deeply disillusioned and shocked by the absence of due process of law and the heartless government abuse of power that Alex Tjoa has to endure—a far cry from the Swedish government's international branding as a country that respects women's rights. Here we are witnessing nefarious and blatant racism and xenophobia that separate an innocent child from his beloved Chinese-Indonesian mother.
It is my hope that you can join the friends of Alex Tjoa from all over the world to give her and her son justice and fundamental human rights. Let's work together to make this world a safer and better place to live in for all races.
"I ask you to remember a very simple rule of thumb. If you want good government, you need good leaders. You don't get good government by just a good system of government. That is a fallacy. Even in the best of systems, if the leaders in charge are bad, the government will be bad."
— Lee Kuan Yew
Thank you.
Best regards,
http://savejonatan.blogspot.com