KokkieH Reviews The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

The Hundred Year Old Man - Jonas Jonasson
Cover design by Jonathan Pelham
Publisher: http://www.hesperuspress.com

If you liked Forrest Gump (the movie, not the book), chances are you’ll love The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared (the book – movie’s expected later this year).  This book, recommended by someone in my writer’s group, was an unexpected surprise that I can see myself reading several more times before I celebrate my centenary.

The story is simple:  Alan Karlsson, on his hundredth birthday, decides he’s fed up with the old age home, climbs through his bedroom window in his slippers and gets on a bus, picking up some luggage along the way.  He joins forces with a professional thief and a hot-dog seller/almost vet/almost doctor/almost architect/almost…well, rather you just read the book…and finds himself on the run, wanted by the police for a triple murder.  There’s something about an Elephant and a bunch of Bibles in there as well, but let me not give too much away right now. Continue reading “KokkieH Reviews The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson” →

On Imagining the Future

I have long been a fan of Science Fiction.  I can recall watching Star Trek: The Next Generation series and movies as a kid with my dad (who now denies ever having watched SF in his entire life).  I also recall watching Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and the lesser-known The Last Star Fighter from my childhood years.  I was reading Jules Verne and HG Wells while most of my class mates were still struggling with Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys.  Then I discovered Foundation by Isaac Asimov in the public library in the town where I went to college and I knew I had found one of my favourite authors (though I like the Robot novels and short stories best).

I have also long been a fan of science.  Between the ages of 10 and 12 I received a microscope, chemistry set and electronics kit for birthdays and I did every experiment in their instructions.  I’ve been working on a computer daily since I got my dad’s old IBM 386 for my thirteenth birthday.  I read books on geology, astronomy and natural sciences.  I watch documentaries for fun. Continue reading “On Imagining the Future” →

On Resolutions and Intentions (good or otherwise)

Happy New Year.  Don’t you think it is very fitting that I write my first post of 2013 on the seventh day of the year?  Especially since my one New Year’s resolution was to write every day this year.  And sure, I could have written the post and then set it to be published on the first, but honestly, then I’d have had nothing to write about.  Now at least I get to write about not writing.

I wonder where this whole thing of New Year’s Resolutions got started.  (No, I’m not going to check Wikipedia.  That’s a distraction and a writer’s worst enemy.)  In any event, I think the term is a misnomer. Continue reading “On Resolutions and Intentions (good or otherwise)” →

KokkieH Reviews The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey

the_hobbit_movie_wallpaperI finally got to see The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey and I’m glad to say it was as brilliant as I had expected it to be. There are still two more films to go, but I think it’s safe to say that Peter Jackson and his team have once again succeeded in creating something that should rake in at least as many awards as The Lord Of the Rings.

Now for those who haven’t read Tolkien’s books yet, why on earth not? But seriously, if your only experience of Middle Earth has been the LOTR films, you have to realise something right off the bat going in to see The Hobbit: Bilbo’s tale is not the same a Frodo’s. Continue reading “KokkieH Reviews The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey“ →