A great, quick read. ( )

A short novella which can be read in a couple of hours, this is apparently book 1 in a trilogy and a collaboration with a writer I hadn't heard of before.

Twelve year old Gwendy is exercising one day, trying to get her weight down having had a spiteful comment directed at her and aware that when she starts at the new school shortly she will be bullied if she is chubby. She runs up the stairs to a vantage point in the local park, known as suicide stairs, and at the top a man dressed in black is sitting who introduces himself in a quirky manner. She is naturally cautious at first but he says he has a present for her and shows her an attractive box covered with coloured buttons. Each represents a continent except for the black one which must never be pressed and stands for everything, and a red one which can be anything she wills. A lever on one side produces delicious miniature chocolate animals, one per day, which will allow her to eat her proper balanced meals but not be tempted by deserts. And on the other side, another level occasionally produces valuable silver dollars which eventually help her with college expenses.

The mysterious man in black, who has the initials RF (Randall Flagg anyone?) tells her that to guard the box will be her responsibility. She does so but as she gets older and college looms, what to do with it becomes more of a burden. One or two things happen which make her very wary of it. Meanwhile, it seems to have done a lot of good to her and her family without her having to actively utilise it.

On the plus side, I liked Gwendy as a character: sensible, kind, hard working and so on, she is an ideal guardian for a dangerous weapon. I wasn't such a fan at one point that to overcome a villain she flashes her boobs at him; surely some other method could have been chosen for her to distract a killer? And RF, if it were indeed he, seems far too benevolent. Rather than give it to someone responsible, wouldn't he just press the buttons and blow the world up? The book has some nice illustrations and it was a pleasant read, but on the whole I would rate it at 3 stars. ( )

loved this story. ( )

Loved it!

Quick and highly entertaining read. This short book was classic Stephen King, which I've missed in some of his recent novels. ( )

The first book in the Gwendy Button Box trilogy is a story of a young girl, Gwendy, who is given a mysterious "Button Box". The box dispenses treats and money, as well as possible ills. It is similar to Pandora having the ability to change the world, but also has the potential to release harm into the world. Gwendy is given the responsibility of being the caretaker for this box. She has to determine how to use the box, and she needs to be cautious with her decision and her thoughts.
I loved it. ( )