The Time Machine Did It

This is funny. That's all it's trying to be, and I think it succeeds. The "story" revolves around a clumsy, slightly dull-witted detective and his pursuit of a stolen time machine. Of course, that description might fool you into thinking there's an actual storyline going on. But there isn't. Pretty much everything just happens with no real logic or even any attempt at logic. It is only a story in the loosest sense of the term. Instead, it's mostly an excuse to throw jokes at the reader. One right after the other. While I usually find funny books a bit trying, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Perhaps because of its short length it didn't wear out its welcome. Perhaps it's just funnier than they normally are. If you're interested in reading something odd that doesn't ask much of you other than a willingness to smile, then this is your book.

I tracked down this book after listening to The Simpsons DVD commentaries and I'm glad I did. Swartzwelder has a deranged sense of humor that I happen to love. Read this carefully and laugh out loud.

One reviewer wrote, "Worth a read, but I'm not sure if it's worth $15..." Let me say that I am sure it's worth $15. For the small investment of $15, you get at least $16 worth of laughs. Maybe $18. And with the cost of laughs going through the roof these days, that's a bargain.

I'm not really sure the time machine actually did it, but it was at least an accessory-after-the-fact. John Swartzwelder has woven a unique tale of self-deprecation, inept and corrupt cops and robbers, bar brawls, and several trips through time. Just let yourself slip into the unique Tao of Frank Torgeson, Junior's universe. Frank, a.k.a. the inimitable Frank Burly, private detective, explores his universe unbounded by the rules of ours. So grab a briefcase and give chase - this universe is both very funny and very different, and very much the same as ours - all in ways that will stick with you long after you've put this little gem down. Little bits of truth will drag you back to our universe ("Once you've been the center of attention, it's hard to go back to being one of the guys in the corner."), but you won't stay long, because Burley's universe has a whole different Yin and Yang. Or does it? How about this line from a comedy writer: "I mean, I wasn't really trying to entertain anybody, I was just trying, in my own way, to escape." But there is no escape... not for you, or for any of your 14 accidental clones. Be careful. After all the goofiness, you may actually find you self thinking about this one.

How often does a book make you laugh out loud? Never, that's how often. But this book made me laugh out loud at least three times on every page, 500 laughs in all. It's the story of the world's stupidest detective, who gets hold of a time machine, and winds up being beaten up and shot at by everyone in history. Swartzwelder's writing is reminiscent of Douglas Adams or the early Max Shulman, but amazingly he's funnier than either of them. Swartzwelder has apparently written 59 episodes of the Simpsons. I can believe it. Only that show can match him for sheer density of great, great jokes.