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Runs Like Clockwork
This heart-wrenching tale is set in the fictional steampunk town of New Babbage, in a world without the discovery of electricity.
An elderly clockmaker and seller, Mr. McKenzie, constructs a mechanical shop assistant to help in his store, using the remains of a child’s stuffed toy bear and some miscellaneous clock components. He gives his creation the name of “River Falcon” after randomly scanning the pages of a yellowed dusty atlas and he takes the clockwork bear to work in his store. One noticeable feature of this amazing invention is the addition of a mechanical reading eye, which allows River Falcon to read the labels of the clocks and timepieces for potential customers.
The invention proves its worth in the store, by attracting a great deal of attention from customers and passers-by alike. However, a thief also spies River Falcon and decides to steal him as an attraction for a travelling circus.
It is then that his reading ability allows him to achieve his true potential and to discover how the power of the written word can change his life for the better: how he can discover the true meaning of both friendship and love.
An elderly clockmaker and seller, Mr. McKenzie, constructs a mechanical shop assistant to help in his store, using the remains of a child’s stuffed toy bear and some miscellaneous clock components. He gives his creation the name of “River Falcon” after randomly scanning the pages of a yellowed dusty atlas and he takes the clockwork bear to work in his store. One noticeable feature of this amazing invention is the addition of a mechanical reading eye, which allows River Falcon to read the labels of the clocks and timepieces for potential customers.
The invention proves its worth in the store, by attracting a great deal of attention from customers and passers-by alike. However, a thief also spies River Falcon and decides to steal him as an attraction for a travelling circus.
It is then that his reading ability allows him to achieve his true potential and to discover how the power of the written word can change his life for the better: how he can discover the true meaning of both friendship and love.
Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2014
6 people want to read
About the author
Maxwell Grantly
36 books13 followersMaxwell Grantly is the nom de plume of Nigel Shelton , a schoolteacher living in a small seaside town on the east coast of Great Britain. Although he has written many short stories, he does not think of himself as an author. Maxwell is, first and foremost, merely a mathematics teacher. He simply writes just because he enjoys doing so and for no other reason.
Being a schoolteacher, Maxwell Grantly enjoys reading children's literature as part of his work as well as for recreation. However, as a writer, he does not always write books that could be described as typically suitable for the younger reader: his work is incredibly varied in both syntax and style. Maxwell produces short stories that he enjoys writing and that he enjoys reading. Sometimes he uses vocabulary and imagery that is more suited to adults. At other times, he writes directly for a younger audience. This means that some of his books may only be suitable for accomplished young readers (or for adults who might like a break from their regular reading agenda) while others may be suitable for younger readers who are still developing their literacy skills.
By not targeting his work to one particular audience and by not being a professional author, it does mean that Maxwell has an incredible freedom to branch out and simply write recreationally for his own artistic satisfaction. If you enjoy reading his stories then he is pleased that you were able to briefly enter his fantasy world too, if only for a brief ten or fifteen minutes.
Being a schoolteacher, Maxwell Grantly enjoys reading children's literature as part of his work as well as for recreation. However, as a writer, he does not always write books that could be described as typically suitable for the younger reader: his work is incredibly varied in both syntax and style. Maxwell produces short stories that he enjoys writing and that he enjoys reading. Sometimes he uses vocabulary and imagery that is more suited to adults. At other times, he writes directly for a younger audience. This means that some of his books may only be suitable for accomplished young readers (or for adults who might like a break from their regular reading agenda) while others may be suitable for younger readers who are still developing their literacy skills.
By not targeting his work to one particular audience and by not being a professional author, it does mean that Maxwell has an incredible freedom to branch out and simply write recreationally for his own artistic satisfaction. If you enjoy reading his stories then he is pleased that you were able to briefly enter his fantasy world too, if only for a brief ten or fifteen minutes.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 28, 2016
This was a fun book! While familiar with steampunk as a fashion style and style of story I had never really read anything steampunk until this book. Sort of a Pinocchio steampunk Tale it's got a nice fairytale feel to it that reasonably unique
December 12, 2014
The first thing that came to mind during the first few pages of this story was Pinocchio. The parallels between the two stories of an inanimate toy that comes to life, and its relationship to an elderly creator, are unmistakable. But as the story moves forward it creates its own narrative, which is a good thing. Essentially this is a story for younger readers about an enchanting toy bear that is suddenly taken from his home and experiences some notable difficulties trying to find his way back. He eventually meets a kind stranger who takes him in and assists him in trying to find the elderly clockmaker who created him and the life he valued as a very unique assistant with a knack for convincing customers to make a purchase.
The imagination of the story is what attracted me the most, and I believe it is the most commendable aspect of the book. The writing is also good, although sometimes uneven. The opening sequences are, in my opinion, the strongest and most well-written by far. In fact, if the rest of the book had grabbed me like the first pages I definitely would have given this a stronger review. Although the storyline is nothing new and has been used countless times in countless other stories, that is not necessarily a bad thing. There is, after all, nothing new under the sun. What I believe the story needed were a few more unexpected twists and turns, and more consistency in the writing. But when this story flows, it runs like clockwork.
The imagination of the story is what attracted me the most, and I believe it is the most commendable aspect of the book. The writing is also good, although sometimes uneven. The opening sequences are, in my opinion, the strongest and most well-written by far. In fact, if the rest of the book had grabbed me like the first pages I definitely would have given this a stronger review. Although the storyline is nothing new and has been used countless times in countless other stories, that is not necessarily a bad thing. There is, after all, nothing new under the sun. What I believe the story needed were a few more unexpected twists and turns, and more consistency in the writing. But when this story flows, it runs like clockwork.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews