Journal Entry 1 by solittletime from Portland, Maine USA on Tuesday, December 31, 2002

Pre-numbered label used for registration. Used hardcover library book. 

Journal Entry 2 by solittletime from Portland, Maine USA on Wednesday, July 02, 2003

Journal Entry 3 by phantomreader42 from Warner Robins, Georgia USA on Monday, July 14, 2003

I got this in the mail Friday, from solittletime in trade for The Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything. I'll start on it soon.  

Journal Entry 4 by phantomreader42 from Warner Robins, Georgia USA on Tuesday, November 04, 2003

Very different from McDonald's usual work. I didn't like it as much as the Fletch books, but it wasn't bad. Part of a four-book project called "Time²" (though there are conflictiong reports on which part it is), based on Shakespeare's Seven Ages of Man theme.
Contents:
Lovers and Pantaloons is divided into two parts, the first telling of Martha and George as young lovers, the second in their older years after the kids are grown.
Satchels and Snails is the story of a young boy flickering back and forth between reality and fantasy.
Quick in Quarrel is a story of war and compassion, compared to The Red Badge of Courage
Justice
Mewling and Puking
Sans Every Thing is about the final years of old Doc John, and his reminiscences of earlier times.

I enjoyed this book for the most part, but not as much as the other books I've read by McDonald. I'll look for a way to pass it on.

Books by Gregory McDonald:
Fletch
Fletch Won
Fletch Too
Fletch and the Widow Bradley
Confess, Fletch
Exits and Entrances 

Journal Entry 5 by O-Jenny from Temple, Texas USA on Thursday, November 13, 2003

Oh, how unfair! I plucked this book out of my mailbox this morning, and I'm *swamped* with work right now. I want to drop it all and start reading!! Must. Be. Disciplined. 

Journal Entry 6 by O-Jenny from Temple, Texas USA on Wednesday, February 11, 2004

I started this one today and wanted to go ahead and write a comment before it slips my mind (I have young children...things slip my mind much more frequently than they used to).

I'm only 30 pages into this book, but I can tell you exactly why I like McDonald's writing so much. In those first 30 pages, there are only two, count them, TWO, small paragraphs of expository writing. The remainder is dialogue. Straight dialogue. With nary a "he said," "she insinuated," "he burst out." Just pure, glorious repartee. It's like eavesdropping on a conversation. Not many people can tell a story this way, but McDonald has mastered the technique. Elmore Leonard does it pretty well, but not to the extent that McDonald does.

I think I'm going to like this book quite a lot. And if the rest of it reads as fast as the first 30 pages or so, I should have it finished by tomorrow or the next day.

Thanks for sharing this one phantomreader. You definitely picked the right person for the book!! 

Journal Entry 7 by O-Jenny from Temple, Texas USA on Thursday, February 12, 2004

Finished this one this morning. While it's not McDonald's best, it was a quick and interesting read. As I mentioned in my previous post, part of the reason the book was such a quick read was the almost complete lack of exposition. The stories are often made up entirely of dialogue, if not external, internal.

I will admit, I sort of skimmed the poem. I'm not a big fan of reading poetry. I like to hear a good poem now and then, but I'm not sure this one was all that great.

McDonald did a good job with characterization in this collection. The young/old lovers were wonderful. The initially idealistic and ultimately more realistic conversations seemed spot on.

All in all, this was an interesting read, but not typical of most of the stuff McDonald's written. Thanks for sharing it phantomreader. I'll try to get it to another McDonald fan somehow. 

Journal Entry 8 by O-Jenny from Temple, Texas USA on Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Sending this one to MaraJade in Australia today. 

Journal Entry 9 by MaraJade from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Sunday, March 07, 2004

Received this today. Thanks JennyO! Will read it over the next week. 

Journal Entry 10 by MaraJade from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, March 25, 2004

i found it difficult to get into this book. hopefully someone else will enjoy it more. 

Journal Entry 11 by MaraJade at Cambridge Library in Floreat, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, March 25, 2004

Released on Thursday, March 25, 2004 at Cambridge Library in Floreat, Western Australia Australia.