Book Review: The Getaway Special

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Getaway Special     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Jerry Oltion
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Humorous
Tor, Dec 2001, $26.95, 400 pp.

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-servingl 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

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner