kidsleepy's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this, but for some reason the pacing was off for me and it couldn't hold my attention (sorry, Phil).
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
Quirky, enjoyable, and not what I'd expected.
ralucarmichael's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
themanofsilver's review against another edition
2.0
"Life is like a glass of vodka …"
How this Swedish 100 year-old Forest Gump could have started this story. Mildly entertaining at times, but for the most part not enough of a payoff for the time invested.
How this Swedish 100 year-old Forest Gump could have started this story. Mildly entertaining at times, but for the most part not enough of a payoff for the time invested.
becksbereading's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
coffeeandreads's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful and completely ridiculous. Two thumbs up.
dansoper's review against another edition
2.0
I am so disappointed in this book. At best it is okay, at worst it shouldn't exist. As a sequel it has neither the charm nor the hilarity of the original.
Jonasson changes Allan's character too much for my liking, which I understand is the point of the book, but it just doesn't work. His portrayal of world leaders doesn't really work either - it worked so well in the first book with historical figures because, largely, you don't have the media as a referent.
The plot also feels too contrived, I know that the plot of the original is also, but the chaos *makes sense* whereas here it feels like Jonasson just brings characters in whenever he needs them in order to advance the plot.
I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could as I really enjoyed the final chapter, but it said exactly what I was thinking all along.
The Swedish reviews on here seem to be more positive, so maybe it's a case of 'lost in translation'. Nevertheless, if you loved the original as much as I did (and it's one of my all-time favourites), I wouldn't bother reading it.
Jonasson changes Allan's character too much for my liking, which I understand is the point of the book, but it just doesn't work. His portrayal of world leaders doesn't really work either - it worked so well in the first book with historical figures because, largely, you don't have the media as a referent.
The plot also feels too contrived, I know that the plot of the original is also, but the chaos *makes sense* whereas here it feels like Jonasson just brings characters in whenever he needs them in order to advance the plot.
I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could as I really enjoyed the final chapter, but it said exactly what I was thinking all along.
The Swedish reviews on here seem to be more positive, so maybe it's a case of 'lost in translation'. Nevertheless, if you loved the original as much as I did (and it's one of my all-time favourites), I wouldn't bother reading it.
dannb's review against another edition
4.0
Quirky. PartForrest Gump, part Mark Twain, part Catch22... Shaken, stirred and turned upside down
leeravenn's review against another edition
3.0
As very aptly described by another reviewer here, this is the journey of a Swedish Forrest Gump throughout his rather long and eventful life. There is a ton of name-dropping and historical referencing as the story covers both the past and present lives of the main character, which can get a bit tedious at times. The pace suffered a bit by the last third of the book, but overall it was still mildly entertaining to read.