Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything

Rating:
Summary: A dose of snickering non-reality from a master storyteller.
Review: An undetectable edge on the rest of the world -- everyone's dream? In _The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything_, the late Mr. MacDonald turned his mastery of plotting and characterization toward "what-if" fiction, and more than succeeded. Lighthearted, yet never frothy, this story gave me more grins per page than any book in a long time. Even better, after I turned the last page, I was left with my imagination in overdrive. Highly recommended to those who don't like techie sci-fi or magic fantasy, but would like a dose of snickering non-reality. Like _Back to the Future_, but much better

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly entertaining sci-fi fantasy tale.
Review: John D. MacDonald is one of the acknowledged masters of the Hard-Boiled detective genre, both with his acclaimed Travis McGee series as well as his stand alone fiction.

This book marks a major departure for MacDonald-a foray into fantasy fiction. While MacDonald has traveled well away from his home field to write this one, he brings his considerable skills for characterization and plot with him and adds a true sense of whimsy and comedy to the mix with tremendous results.

Kirby Winter's multimillionaire Uncle Omar has just died as this story opens. Always a very eccentric sort of character, Omar has produced a great fortune during his lifetime-and employed Kirby, his only blood relative, to give it all away to charity. No one really understands this, however, and vultures are circling over the supposedly rich estate.

Kirby is a sort of pathetic character-a bit of a wimp, really-until he gets his Uncles only real bequest-a gold watch. However, as Kirby soon discovers, this is no ordinary watch. It is actually a sort of time machine. Kirby, along with a cute young thing acquired along the way, works to foil the bad guys and protect his girl as best he can. The ensuing adventures are a true delight to behold.

This is superior beach fare type reading-light reading entertainment of the highest order.

One warning is in order-This book DOES NOT represent the norm for MacDonald, whose work is usually very gritty, dark and violent. One would be well advised to keep this in mind if that is not your sort of thing if the later is not your cup of tea.

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly entertaining sci-fi fantasy tale.
Review: John D. MacDonald is one of the acknowledged masters of the Hard-Boiled detective genre, both with his acclaimed Travis McGee series as well as his stand alone fiction.

This book marks a major departure for MacDonald-a foray into fantasy fiction. While MacDonald has traveled well away from his home field to write this one, he brings his considerable skills for characterization and plot with him and adds a true sense of whimsy and comedy to the mix with tremendous results.

Kirby Winter's multimillionaire Uncle Omar has just died as this story opens. Always a very eccentric sort of character, Omar has produced a great fortune during his lifetime-and employed Kirby, his only blood relative, to give it all away to charity. No one really understands this, however, and vultures are circling over the supposedly rich estate.

Kirby is a sort of pathetic character-a bit of a wimp, really-until he gets his Uncles only real bequest-a gold watch. However, as Kirby soon discovers, this is no ordinary watch. It is actually a sort of time machine. Kirby, along with a cute young thing acquired along the way, works to foil the bad guys and protect his girl as best he can. The ensuing adventures are a true delight to behold.

This is superior beach fare type reading-light reading entertainment of the highest order.

One warning is in order-This book DOES NOT represent the norm for MacDonald, whose work is usually very gritty, dark and violent. One would be well advised to keep this in mind if that is not your sort of thing if the later is not your cup of tea.

Rating:
Summary: Great treatment of the time-stopping fantasy
Review: Most science-fiction readers have fantasized, themselves, about being able to stop time and also about being invisble. This book is a good story about someone who's able to stop time and the troubles it causes for him. The idea has been copied elsewhere (such as in Nicholson Baker's The Fermata) but this author does it well, and in a format that's appropriate for all ages.

Rating:
Summary: A delight
Review: THE GIRL, THE GOLD WATCH AND EVERYTHING

An unusual book by John D. MacDonald, famous author of hard-boiled fiction. This one is light as a souffle, funny and moving. I enjoyed several of his hard-boiled stories, though some were rather too gloomy and violent for my taste, but this one is a delight.

Timid young Kirby Winter's Uncle Omar Krepps lived an ordinary life until he suddenly started acquiring great wealth, quit his job, and spent his life traveling and practicing amateur magic. Uncle Omar dies and the world besieges the young Kirby, the sole surviving relative, who worked in one of his uncle's companies: his job was making large donations to worthy charities and he therefore knows that all his uncle's fortune has been given away. Nobody believes him, of course, least of all a scheming couple who will use every trick in the book to get their hands on all that wealth.

The young man does get something, however: a sealed letter to be opened in a year's time, and a gold watch. Accidentally, Kirby discovers Uncle Omar's secret - the gold watch can stop time! Aided by an array of gutsy and fun-loving girls, Kirby struggles to keep the secret from the scheming couple (and everyone else). In the process, he discovers some hidden strength of character, loses his virginity and learns to have a ball.

A wonderful fantasy, an adventure story rather than your average science-fiction. As another reviewer here eloquently put it, like "Back to the Future". No explicit bedroom scenes, foul language or blood and gore. A true delight. Personally, I think this is worth all MacDonald's other stories put together.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: This book is another masterpiece by MacDonald, who never fails to weave a mesmerizing story and write a enjoyable page turner. I strongly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys even the slightest fantastic fiction. The late, great storyteller left us with a wonderful library of literature with which to enjoy , and I think everyone should have the chance to read at least one of his books. So by all means do get and read this one.