Questions

1. Allan Karlsson is 100 years old. This is unusual; typical icons these days are much younger. How does his age matter to the novel? Did you relate to him?
2. Would you call Allan a role model? Why, or why not?
3. Readers learn about Allan’s past through his stories. Do you trust his memory? Did it occur to you that these might not be true? Why? What does it tell you about the nature of the past, and memory?
4. Throughout the novel Allan encounters historical characters, and gets involved in episodes that change history. Which episode did you enjoy the most? Why?
5. Reviewers across the globe have commented on the humor in the novel. Did you laugh? Would you define this as comic or satiric?
6. What do you think all the main characters had in common, if anything?
7. Are there other any historical figures or moments you would have liked to have featured in the book?
8. Re-read the final pages of the novel. Some would say that Jonasson has left an episode yet to come. What do you think will happen to Allan? Why do you think the author chose to end the novel like this? Would you read a sequel?