Review by Julie Green -- The Watchmaker’s Doctor

[Julie Green]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Watchmaker’s Doctor" by G. M. T. Schuilling.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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How often have you thought about what you would do if you were given the opportunity to live your life again? Our main character, Anaya, is offered exactly this opportunity in the opening pages of the book. We are introduced to physician Anaya sitting on a bench and talking with Greg, one of her patients. Greg insists on giving Anaya the gift of a watch. This calm scene is broken as Anaya steps away and is run over in the street before our eyes. Our shock is compounded by seeing the hands on Anaya's watch start to move in the wrong direction. Time is reversing and, within a few minutes, Anaya is again sitting next to Greg.

Anaya is then offered a choice by Greg. She must decide whether to go back in time so that she can live her life again. The alternative is to face imminent death. Anaya chooses life and wakes up as a teenager at school. Anaya determines to live a more meaningful life and not to waste time with poor choices. There is just one problem; whichever choices she makes, she will die when she reaches the same age as she was when Greg first handed her the watch.

The Watchmaker's Doctor by G M T Schuilling raises some interesting existential questions. In particular, Anaya's predicament challenges you to consider what you would do in her situation. It is, of course, easy to understand Anaya's desire to stay alive. However, we see Anaya become increasingly tormented by the knowledge of the time of her own future death.

The chaos theory suggests that a small movement, such as the flutter of a butterfly's wings, can cause a tornado in the distance. In a similar vein, for every good thing that happens to Anaya as a result of her new decisions, it seems as if there is a negative impact on her friends. Anaya's sense of guilt at her own happiness threatens to ruin her second chance at life. This is another example of how the book explores mental health issues.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. The issues raised are complex and fascinating. It is also impressive how well the book succeeds in making you reflect on matters of life and death. There are a few disappointments. The description of Anaya waking up as a teenager does not adequately convey the sheer enormity of what she is experiencing. Within minutes she is considering what to wear for school. Unfortunately, there is also insufficient focus on the mysterious Greg. This is a shame given Greg's pivotal role in the story. I believe that the book has been professionally edited as I could find no grammatical or spelling errors. This book will appeal to fans of science fiction. It will also be of interest to people who are interested in psychological dramas.

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The Watchmaker’s Doctor
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[FictionLover]

The Watchmaker's Doctor by G M T Schuilling raises some interesting existential questions. In particular, Anaya's predicament challenges you to consider what you would do in her situation. It is, of course, easy to understand Anaya's desire to stay alive. However, we see Anaya become increasingly tormented by the knowledge of the time of her own future death.

The chaos theory suggests that a small movement, such as the flutter of a butterfly's wings, can cause a tornado in the distance. In a similar vein, for every good thing that happens to Anaya as a result of her new decisions, it seems as if there is a negative impact on her friends. Anaya's sense of guilt at her own happiness threatens to ruin her second chance at life. This is another example of how the book explores mental health issues.

Ohh, existential questions! From the sample I read, I didn't think this book would be so deep.

I'm a sci-fi fan and love these type of time-twist conundrums. I will look for this one.

How was the writing?

[Julie Green]

The Watchmaker's Doctor by G M T Schuilling raises some interesting existential questions.

Ohh, existential questions! From the sample I read, I didn't think this book would be so deep.

I'm a sci-fi fan and love these type of time-twist conundrums. I will look for this one.

How was the writing?

The writing was decent, if fairly simplistic given the topic, so I would classify it as a light read.

[meadhbh]

This sounds like a really interesting exploration of the psychological effects of knowing your own death, as well the chance to have a do-over and see how your decisions change things. Great review!

[FictionLover]

The Watchmaker's Doctor by G M T Schuilling raises some interesting existential questions.

Ohh, existential questions! From the sample I read, I didn't think this book would be so deep.

I'm a sci-fi fan and love these type of time-twist conundrums. I will look for this one.

How was the writing?

The writing was decent, if fairly simplistic given the topic, so I would classify it as a light read.

Sounds okay.

[Julie Green]

This sounds like a really interesting exploration of the psychological effects of knowing your own death, as well the chance to have a do-over and see how your decisions change things. Great review!

Thanks for checking out my review and commenting

[primeRex]

I really don't think that the writers choice of setting Anayas" first moment of reliving her life and possibly making changes was her teen age. That's the major trunk that sinks the roots of anyone's life and upon which adulthood is formed. I mean just about any adult would say he will be richer than Bill Gates if he had a way to relive his teen age!
Therefore that is a great place to start.

[blahthelarry6]

The description of Anaya waking up as a teenager does not adequately convey the sheer enormity of what she is experiencing. Within minutes she is considering what to wear for school. Unfortunately, there is also insufficient focus on the mysterious Greg. This is a shame given Greg's pivotal role in the story.

I had the same thoughts. It felt like the book was too fast-paced for the theme it was going after, but I wonder if it was slowed down that it would have had the same impact.

As for Greg, I almost forgot about him halfway through. Your point was proven!

[Julie Green]

I really don't think that the writers choice of setting Anayas" first moment of reliving her life and possibly making changes was her teen age. That's the major trunk that sinks the roots of anyone's life and upon which adulthood is formed. I mean just about any adult would say he will be richer than Bill Gates if he had a way to relive his teen age!
Therefore that is a great place to start.

So true! Thanks for stopping by

[Bianka Walter]

I read the sample of this book when it was BOTD, and I must say, the premise is very cool. I love the idea that it's not just a time jump book - that she will still die on the same day at the same time, it's just a chance to at a do-over. You raise some really interesting points though. Could you live a fulfilling life knowing when you will die? Could you do life better the second time around? Very thought-provoking stuff.
Thanks - I loved your review

[Julie Green]

I read the sample of this book when it was BOTD, and I must say, the premise is very cool. I love the idea that it's not just a time jump book - that she will still die on the same day at the same time, it's just a chance to at a do-over. You raise some really interesting points though. Could you live a fulfilling life knowing when you will die? Could you do life better the second time around? Very thought-provoking stuff.
Thanks - I loved your review

Thanks! I appreciate your comment

[Julie Green]

Unfortunately, there is also insufficient focus on the mysterious Greg. This is a shame given Greg's pivotal role in the story.

I had the same thoughts. It felt like the book was too fast-paced for the theme it was going after, but I wonder if it was slowed down that it would have had the same impact.

As for Greg, I almost forgot about him halfway through. Your point was proven!

Ha, yes indeed, poor Greg does get quite forgotten! Thanks for commenting

[jjmainor]

The Watchmaker's Doctor by G M T Schuilling raises some interesting existential questions.

Ohh, existential questions! From the sample I read, I didn't think this book would be so deep.

I'm a sci-fi fan and love these type of time-twist conundrums. I will look for this one.

How was the writing?

The writing was decent, if fairly simplistic given the topic, so I would classify it as a light read.

I made it through in one sitting. Sometimes simple is better, and because this was light reading, it should work for a broader audience.

[Julie Green]

Very true... sometimes simpler is better

[Sanju Lali]

Your review tells about the wonderful story in this book, in which there is chance for the protagonist to go back in time and correct her past mistakes. The story seems quite interesting.