The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (novel)

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is a 2009 novel by Swedish author Jonas Jonasson. The novel tells the story of Allan Karlsson, a centenarian who, on his 100th birthday, decides he doesn't want to attend his own party and escapes from his nursing home.

Allan's escape initiates a series of unlikely and often absurd adventures. He becomes accidentally embroiled in a criminal enterprise after stealing a suitcase filled with money from a member of a biker gang. The story alternates between Allan's present-day escapades and flashbacks detailing his extraordinary life.

Throughout the 20th century, Allan unknowingly played a part in major historical events, encountering figures like Francisco Franco, Harry Truman, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, and others. He's not motivated by political ideology or personal ambition, but rather by a simple desire for adventure and a knack for being in the right (or wrong) place at the right time. His philosophy is largely to avoid overthinking things and simply react to the circumstances he finds himself in.

The novel is a darkly comedic picaresque, characterized by its eccentric characters, improbable plot twists, and satire of historical figures and events. Its success led to a film adaptation of the same name, released in 2013.