"A great read. The discovery of a means of jumping into space and great distances with a minimum of time and energy creates a social upheavial when the well meaning inventor gives the secret away to the world. Set slightly in the future the general tone is upbeat and with enough huomour interjected to make it fun but it does make you think about what would happen if the ability to go directly to orbit was available to everyone that could build a space ship, which by the way in this case is built out of a common every day septic tank. However comming back down is not as simple as going up becasue the hyper drive has a problem displacing atmosphere so the fun is in getting back down.
The book is a quick read and just plain fun and has a happy upbeat ending."
William Rawls, Resident Jerry Oltion Scholar
"
Tor, Dec 2001, 26.95, 400 pp.
ISBN: 0312877773
Allen Meisner is a member of the International Network of Scientists Against Nuclear Extermination, better known as INSANE, an acronym that can be easily applied to this maniac. Though he is a walking hard drive error, this Pollyanna-like genius apparently develops an incredibly efficient and effective hyper drive engine that can take anyone on an interstellar journey faster than the speed of light for very low costs.
Allen expects his concept to change the world in a positive manner, but shockingly many fellow earthlings fear his new technology. Governments acting as ever in self-serving interest battle over whom owns the hyper drive-based power that now is being implemented to propel bombs. Allen and his pilot Judy Gallagher search the heavens for allies to stop Armageddon on earth. They ultimately return to earth accompanied by a brilliant butterfly and other aliens in a quest to save the planet from its most sentient yet stupid habitants.
THE GETAWAY SPECIAL is a satire on mad scientists and outer space adventure stories. The story line is often humorous as the nutty but optimistic Meisner and his heroic pilot hyper-leap from one dangerous scenario to another. However, the plot is a few scenes too many as the basic underlying theme of punishing those who care becomes almost as out of control as the scientist is. Overall, Jerry Oltion has written an amusing novel that those readers who relish a lot of wacky irony jabbing our modern day world will find delightfully engaging.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Jerry Oltion Scholar
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Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 30% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- cynical or dry-wit
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- exploring a wondrous planet or phenomena
- generally friendly contact with alien(s)
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- method of transportation
Parody
Yes
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
- Female
Profession/status:
- scientist
- fighter (air/space) pilot
Age:
- 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- an organization
- society
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
- bureaucrat
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Setting
Which planet?
- Asteroids
Earth setting:
- medium future 22-24th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Not Earth, in Solar System?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a fair amount of scientific explanation
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
How much dialogue?
- significantly more descript than dialog
