Geneva International Book Club

After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he’s still in good health. A big celebration is in the works for his 100th birthday, but Allan really isn’t interested (and he’d like a bit more control over his alcohol consumption), so he decides to escape. He climbs out the window in his slippers and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey. It would be the adventure of a lifetime for anyone else, but Allan has a larger-than-life backstory: he has not only witnessed some of the most important events of the 20th century, but actually played a key role in them. Quirky and utterly unique, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared has charmed readers across the world.

LOCATION: Maison Internationale des Associations, salle Albert Jacquard
Presenter: TBD
Starting time: 19:15 sharp
Format:

• Members introduction (5-10 minutes)
• Book presentation (20-30 minutes)

A brief history of the author’s life
A short summary of the book
Main ideas/themes

• Group discussion (45-60 minutes), members' personal views on the book, opposing ideas, etc.
• Announcement/info on next meeting (5 minutes)

Note: reading the book is not a "must" to attend the meeting, but encouraged if you want to actively participate in the discussion.

We look forward to seeing you all!

This book discussion explores how legal processes are portrayed in literature, examining both the historical development of legal systems and their practical and symbolic functions within society. We’ll begin with a brief overview of how courts, laws, and legal institutions have evolved and what roles they are meant to serve, from justice and order to power and control. The session will then highlight works that engage with legal systems in diverse ways—using trials, laws, and legal concepts to probe morality, authority, social inequality, and human rights. Together, these texts offer a rich lens for understanding how literature reflects, critiques, and reimagines the law.

Location: Maison des Associations, salle Albert Jacquard
Starting time: 7:15 pm sharp
Presenter: Lisa

Format:
Part 1: presenter(s) provide a short overview of the pre-selected books, highlighting some of the reviews and critics and other relevant background. Members who have read any of the books can contribute.
Part 2: participants are invited to introduce any book that they would like to recommend and provide a short overview thereof (on a voluntarily basis).
Part 3: participants vote to select the book to be discussed in one of the upcoming book discussion meetings.
We look forward to seeing you all!