The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything

By: John D. MacDonald

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

A classic novel by John D. MacDonald with an exclusive introduction written and read by Dean Koontz.

Once an ordinary math teacher, Omar Krepps developed a knack for gambling, amassed a fabulous fortune, and spent the rest of his life traveling the world and giving away his millions. Upon his death, however, Krepps bequeaths nothing to his nephew and only living blood relative, Kirby Winter - nothing, that is, except an antique watch and a sealed letter to be opened after one year. But Kirby has much more in his possession than he realizes. The watch has the power to manipulate time. Not only does this revelation shed light on the mystery of his uncle’s life, it puts Kirby on the path to unimaginable wealth and a new lease on love - as well as a whole host of deadly troubles. Even in a universe where time is no issue, Kirby must tread carefully to stay one step ahead of danger.

©1962 John D. MacDonald Publishing, Inc. Copyright renewed 1990 by Maynard MacDonald. (P)2014 Audible Inc.

A Touch of Sci-Fi and Romance

This is one of the two works of Science Fiction written by the author in his long prolific career. It also contains elements of Romance and Fantasy genres. Toby Kwimper awakens to the loss of his Uncle Omar and the knowledge that his inheritance consists of a warehouse full of junk and an Uncle Omar's stopwatch. As he stumbles through the next few days trying to figure out life until he meets the 'Hillbilly Girl' Bonnie Sue Beaumont. Bonnie Sue who has lived the opposite lifestyle from the protected, directed Toby. A teenage runaway she's had to make her own since she was a young teen and isn't about to be bamboozled by this city slicker Yankee. Thus their adventure began.
This book isn't just about a magic watch; it's about finding friends and people you can depend on in tough times. More than fifty years later there is still a message of value in this book.

A most entertaining novel!

possibly the most entertaining novel I have ever read or listen to astoundingly written with great character great storyline and plenty of comedy, romance, and intrigue. Thoroughly enjoyable!

A Timeless Classic

I first read this in High School and enjoyed it immensely. I as so happy to find it again and that it had los nothing over the decades. aa joy to young and old.

Priceless. Riveting. Imaginative. Fun.

I loved the story and the audio performance. John D. MacDonald at his very best.

NOT Unabridged!

A word of warning to the uninitiated -- this is NOT an unabridged reading of The Girl, The Gold Watch & Everything. The novel begins in epistolary fashion, with a letter written by one Sam Giotti, to his superior, a man named Fred. It is completely omitted from the Audible version. The letter runs a full four pages in my paperback edition,and lays much of the groundwork for what comes ahead, especially in alerting the reader to how the book will end. It's absence in inexplicable.

Otherwise, this is a fine reading, done in a nice, somewhat laconic fashion, by Stephen Hoye, with one major exception: his take on Bonny Lee Beaumont. A "hillbilly" from the South, Bonny Lee speaks with a strong accent, and it reads wonderfully on the printed page but comes across as stilted and mannered when acted by Hoye. He seems to be using a standard "southern" accent for Bonny, and in never really works. I live in the South and I don't know anyone who sounds like this.

A favorite returns

I was the happiest of audible customers to find John D MacDonald. I grew into adulthood reading and re-reading Travis McGee novels. Mac Donald can with economy of words create a character that jumps from the page to fully formed being. His characters and stories are timeless yet the sexism entrenched in these books allow a glimpse of the coming of age atmosphere for women in the 60 - 70’s.
A disappointing inheritance springs us into a world of a missing 27 million dollars. The secret of the watch and red time leads the characters to a romp of fun. What is the secret of the watch?

Read this and everything the author has written. You will be pleased and meet characters that still lived in my heart after 50 years. Jump into Florida and the sexual revolution.

Dated and boring

I love this author but this book was just so tame and so boring I almost couldn't finish it but for the recommendation by Dean Koontz.

I probably would've loved it in the 70s but a lot has changed since then and I require a faster pace and a lot more excitement.

who needs money when you got everything

read it long ago while in the army. spent hours enjoying the "what if"

Worst narrator EVER

Great story! Classic Mc Donald! I just wish that I had listened to the sample because the narrator is unbelievably BAD. I could barely finish the story. He actually became annoying.

Pure Joy

I had never read any John D MacDonald books before Audible introduced me to Travis McGee. After devouring the Travis McGee series, I have set out to read everything that I can that was written by MacDonald. I had heard rave reviews about this book from a friend years ago but until recently I had no idea that John D MacDonald had written it. Listening to this book was pure joy. Yes, some of the romantic dialog sounds silly today, but that doesn't make the book less enjoyable. I was also pleasantly surprised that the physics of altering time was so well thought out. I certainly did not see any of that in the made for TV movie, but being a Larry Niven fan, this touch made me enjoy this romp of fantasy all the more.