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Original poster

Am reading the Hundred Year Old Man - Should I keep going or give up

31 replies

Picturesinthefirelight · 01/04/2013 17:07

I'm about half way through and so far it's a load if far fetched nonsense with unlike able characters and ridiculous deaths for the sake if it.

Yet it's had rave reviews including book of the year

OP posts:
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Mumofthreeteens · 14/04/2013 16:07

I loved the book. Found myself laughing outloud in places. Very clever links to 20th century history.
I have two other books on my bedside table that I keep trying to read but they just don't engage me...

AnonymousBird · 10/04/2013 19:47

I liked it, almost loved it, and unlike the OP it was the history stuff that really tickled me!! Utterly preposterous, but I loved how all that linked together - just about!

RubyrooUK · 10/04/2013 19:07

I liked it. The way he kept falling into great historic moments while remaining clueless made me smile. But I am a very silly person so it appealed to my sense of humour.

hackmum · 10/04/2013 17:31

It's supposed to be implausible and far-fetched, that's the whole point of it. (It's quite a lot like Candide, in that respect.) It gets more and more far-fetched as it goes on. I found it hilariously funny, but if you're not enjoying it now, you won't find it gets any better as it goes on.

eatyourveg · 10/04/2013 17:26

I was hoping it might be in the same ilk as Harold Fry which was fab - not sure I'll bother if it isn't

EarthtoMajorTom · 10/04/2013 17:09

I loved it. Found lots of it very funny and liked the cheeky tie-ins with crucial moments in history.

dearcathyandclare · 07/04/2013 21:16

Give up now, twas tripe in my opinion, and reminded me of one of my most destested films Forrest Gump.
However I have just finished Harold Fry and loved this tale of a man walking out of his life.

Lucyellensmum95 · 03/04/2013 13:09

It does get more and more "out there" as it goes on though :) You just have to suspend your disbeif. I liked it because it was silly and just as you thought, ah, he isn't gonna get out of this one - so his old pal "mao tse tung/Richard Nixon/James bond" turns up. I was sad when i finished it and haven't been able to find anything decent to read yet so am having another go at "the idiot" by dostoyeski - which is a bit of a jump!

Lucyellensmum95 · 03/04/2013 13:05

I loved it, it was mental i didn't particularly like the characters though, apart from "einstein"

MirandaWest · 03/04/2013 13:03

I loved it :) not sure why but I did. Agree it was quite Forest Gump like in places.

Sparkley84 · 03/04/2013 12:59

I agree with most other people here - it doesn't get any better! I persevered to the end but skipped most of the chapters set in the past.

Original poster
Picturesinthefirelight · 03/04/2013 00:50

I didn't have a clue about the historical bits. I did finish it bybthecway but thought it was rubbish.

I've read Hariold Fry - enjoyed that one.

OP posts:
ggirl · 02/04/2013 19:51

I gave up at 60% , didn't float my boat...and yes life's too short

PlasticLentilWeaver · 02/04/2013 19:49

I loved it. But I think it definitely depends on your sense of humour. I agree with the Forrest Gump comparison, which I think is why people reckon it would be a good film.

BOEUF · 02/04/2013 19:33

I loved it too. But I enjoy reading 20th century history, so I found lots of those passages funny and clever.

Life's too short to struggle with a book you aren't enjoying- just move onto something else.

Roseformeplease · 02/04/2013 19:30

I loved it.

IThinkOfHappyWhenIThinkOfYou · 02/04/2013 19:25

I gave up at about half way and I never give up. It was a book club book and those who ploughed ahead said the quitters did the right thing.

montage · 02/04/2013 19:23

It would make a very good movie yes!

I enjoyed it but if it's not your style why continue. The daftness will not abate - it gets more outlandish as it goes on really.

babybythesea · 02/04/2013 19:17

Trills - that's exactly what came to mind when I read it!

Only I didn't like it.

If you want an accidental road trip book then the Unlikely Pilgramage of Harold Fry is loads loads better.

I thought the 100 year old man was boring - I did finish it but really shouldn't have bothered.

Trills · 01/04/2013 21:24

I thought it was amusing.

A bit like Forrest Gump getting accidentally involved in all sorts of large historic events.

Schooldidi · 01/04/2013 21:20

I quite enjoyed it. I suppose I have the right sense of humour for it, I found it very funny that things just kept happening by accident rather than design.

I don't think it would appeal to everyone though, so if it's not really grabbing you, give up. I very rarely waste time on books that just aren't doing it for me, there are far too many books to be read to waste time on ones you aren't enjoying.

KittiesInsane · 01/04/2013 21:16

I thought the same, Tethers. It could be a good spoof film along the same lines as Kind Hearts and Coronets.

LordEmsworth · 01/04/2013 21:13

I actually enjoyed it, which I was surprised by - but no it doesn't get "better" so if I were you, I'd give up!

TheImpossibleAstronaut · 01/04/2013 19:55

I wish I had given it up. I kept hoping it would get better because there were so many rave reviews but it never did.

NettoSuperstar · 01/04/2013 17:40

I have it to read next, maybe I'll not bother.