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Book reviews for "Ford,_Adam" sorted by average review score:

More Than Complete Hitchhiker's Guide: Complete & Unabridged
Published in Hardcover by Longmeadow Press (1989)
Author: Douglas Adams
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One of the few books that make me laugh out loud!
If everone could see the world as Douglas Adams did, we'd all be better off. Mix dry British humor with a group of idiosyncratic characters, drop them into the space-time continium and you get non-stop laughs. At times I often found myself with a grin from ear to ear! Sometimes laughing out-loud!! Even a die hard science fiction fan needs a little bit of humor to keep a perspective.

Life, The Universe, and HILARITY
This collection of sharp, witty, and observant books merits a space on every bookshelf. I am VERY disappointed to find that it
is out of print, as the copy I have is a beautiful black cushioned-leather covered, bible-page style with gold page edges.
Needless to say, I'm preserving it as much as I can! Douglas Adams is one of my favorite authors, with his ability to make
human existance seem so amusing, and yet so futile at the same time. He takes life, gives it a large drink, spins it around a few
times, and watches what happens. Adams is not above self-humiliation either:

"The idea for the title first cropped up when I was lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck, Austria. Well, not really drunk, just the
kind of drunk you get from having a couple of stiff Gossers after not having eaten for two days straight on account of being a
penniless hitchhiker. We are talking of a mild inability to stand up."

I THOROUGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE with a sense of humor, a mind for Sci-Fi, or an adequately functioning
brain. Actually, all carbon-based life-forms should be exposed to this book at some point or another...

Enjoy... I know I did!

Life, The Universe, and HILARITY!
This collection of sharp, witty, and observant books merits a space on every bookshelf. I am VERY disappointed to find that it is out of print, as the copy I have is a beautiful black cushioned-leather covered, bible-page style with gold page edges. Needless to say, I'm preserving it as much as I can! Douglas Adams is one of my favorite authors, with his ability to make human existance seem so amusing, and yet so futile at the same time. He takes life, gives it a large drink, spins it around a few times, and watches what happens. Adams is not above self-humiliation either:

"The idea for the title first cropped up when I was lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck, Austria. Well, not really drunk, just the kind of drunk you get from having a couple of stiff Gossers after not having eaten for two days straight on account of being a penniless hitchhiker. We are talking of a mild inability to stand up."

I THOROUGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE with a sense of humor, a mind for Sci-Fi, or an adequately functioning brain. Actually, all carbon-based life-forms should be exposed to this book at some point or another...

Enjoy... I know I did!


The Original Hitchhiker Radio Scripts
Published in Paperback by Harmony Books (1995)
Authors: Douglas Adams and Geoffrey Perkins
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Radio is defined as an auditory medium by which bipedal...
...life forms are required to use a seldom-exercised ability called "imagination" which, with effort, allows the user to paint a mental tapestry that is superior in many respects to any computer generated image or subjective image of perfection.

(takes a breath)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy goes on a bit about the relative superiority of radio as a medium that stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain, but it also notes several references to various works that endure in a medium regarded as deader than the telegraph.

The Hitchhiker's Guide is not only proof that radio is still a viable medium for drama, but that Douglas Adams is a genius. The show, scripted week-by-week by DNA and Geoffrey Perkins was easily translated to books and television with minimal edits. Yes, the second series is a bit off the ultimate track, but it is quite original and the foot notes from Douglas and Perkins are very insightful. These footnotes exist as a log of what took place when it all began and, sadly, as the only memoir to them.

If you can find it, get it.

More great fodder for any Hitchhiker fan!
As a longtime fan of Adam's Sci-Fi Comedy series, I was delighted to discover this book. It was a lot of fun to read, and offered much insight into the process behind the Original Hitchhiker's Guide Radio Show. And there are a few scenes that never made it to the novels. Douglas Adams is funny in any form, and this was no exception.

A treat for any Hitchhiker fan
It's a shame that this book sems to be so hard to find. I was actually introduced to the Hitchhiker stories through the radio show (the audio recordings of which are probably even harder to find), which was a marvel of storytelling and sound effects when it came out (it still is, of course). Ultimately, the script book is a much better read if you have heard the original radio series, but even if you haven't, check it out (if you can). The scripts are written in true Douglas Adams style, with directions written in there that often don't have to do with the show itself (such as Adams' long description of the Bugblatter Beast of Traal), and it may be your only chance to learn about the Haggunenonns, the super-evolutionary race of aliens originally put in place of the rock group Disaster Area during the black stuntship scene. Be warned, however, since the series was written episodically, meaning that Adams never had any grand scheme for the show, and just wrote it as he went along (explains a lot, doesn't it?). You may think that the plot of the Restaurant at the End of the Universe was convoluted, but I thought it made perfect sense in comparison to the plot of the two radio series. Either way, it's a crazy ride, and worth every minute spent trying to make sense of it. If you consider yourself a HHG fan, then take it upon yourself to listen to the original radio series, and then read the scripts (which clarify it a good deal). Just make sure that you know where your towel is first.


The Hitchhiker's Quartet
Published in Hardcover by Harmony Books (1986)
Authors: Douglas Adams and Peter Cross
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The purist edition!
This omnibus publishing of the Hitchhikers Quartet contains the first four books of the Hitchhikers Trilogy, considered the only true Trilogy by many purists. The series starts with the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, then continues with The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Life, the Universe and Everything and rounds out with So Long and Thanks For All the Fish. This is considered me many the core of the Guide's story, and that "Mostly harmless" takes the story in an unwanted direction and prematurely ends the series with the elimination of 3 of the main characters. Most hardcore Adams purists prefer to leave the story hanging with the possibility of the infinite possibilities possible in an infinite universe.


Rhinoceros Tap
Published in Hardcover by Workman Publishing Company (1996)
Authors: Sandra Boynton, Mike Ford, and Adam Bryant
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rhinoceros tap
This tap will make a long journey shorter with little ones in the car. The tunes makes a change from the usual nursery rthyms that we endure in the car. The music is funky. The songs are funny and easy to learn. It is the only tape my husband will have in HIS car. Occasionally I find him tapping his toe to the music. The book helped me learn of the words and when my daughter is older I am sure she will enjoy reading it too. At 2 years she is still a little young to even appreciate the graphics. Our favourite tune is "Tickle Time". When the whole family joins in we usually end up on the floor laughing. This tape will always remind me of my family having a great time together. It does not fail to put a smile on my daughters face.

A Must Have for LONG Rides with kids in the Car
Sandra Boynton's book and cassette not only have the kids singing but my husband and I find ourselves humming the tunes too! We were facing a nine and eight hour car trips with three kids (3, 2 and 3 weeks) and this made the trip go FASTER! The tunes and words are catchy and easy to sing along with. Some of the songs are from Boynton's other books, like"Barnyard Dance". Others became new favorites to us; Oh Lonely Peas and Bad Babies. Unlike other kid cassettes we have, this creation is done perfectly! Kids and their parents can both enjoy the humor, music and cleverness of Boynton and Ford.This became the only tape played in our car whenever we went anywhere, in fact we played the tape so much from August to October we wore it out. I'm buying another set today!

Show tunes for kids
My 2 1/2 yr old son, already a fan of Boynton's magic, was enthralled by the book and accompanying tape. The songs are witty and easy to learn, and the music doesn't grate on an adult's ear the way some children's songs do. Once again, Sandra Boynton has done a great job of interweaving learning and fun! Particular favorties: Oh, Lonely Peas, Tickle Time, and So Long, Doggies. When I put my son to bed the other night, he said to me "Mommy, I love you more than cheese" This book and tape combination has really made an impression!

(My only 'complaint' - it would be great if there was also a CD version.)


The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide
Published in Hardcover by Random House Value Pub (1996)
Author: Douglas Adams
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THE ULTIMATE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE is the best book ever!

This is simply the best book ever written. Period. You really can't top this. Douglas Adams is so incredably funny, but there really isn't a way to say how funny he is! Let's just put it this way - I currently own FIVE copies of The Ulitmate Hitchhiker's Guide, and I'm proud of it! This book is like a mini hitchhiker's library. It contains all the books in the so-called "Hitchhikers Trilogy" (Vol. 1-5) For those of you who haven't read Mr. Adams' work, I strongly encourage you to buy this book. I promise you, you will be pleased, unless, of course, you are one of those people who absolutly despise humor and despise having a great time. You, yes you, the person staring at this review, you aren't one of theses people. I can tell because you are actually reading this review :) Also, those who have read Douglas Adams' work should buy this book, it's a must-have for everyone. When are you ever going to see the five hitchhiker books for such a low price again? The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide also includes a sixth story, not found anywhere else. Also, it has the TRUE story of how the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy came to be (the Introduction, it's non-fictional :) ). Plus, it comes with a nice, shiny cover...... Very colorful. So grab your towel and your credit card, and order NOW! No, seriously, order it now, it's worth it.

Required Life Reading. (I'm not joking here.)
Quite humbly, there is nothing as funny as this book, this collection, this window to the universe, whatever you'd like to call it. There's a reason for that. As unbelievably all-over-the-place whacky as the book's plot can be, a reader should expect to finish reading the book with the knowledge that, amazingly, the universe really is just that strange and wonderful.

I happen to love life with a passion and laugh near continually. I've never laughed as hard or as often reading than I did while reading this book. Never. Not even close. Imagine the person sitting next to you in a plane, seemingly without provocation, belly-laughs and can't stop. Then imagine it happening on a regular basis. You might wonder one of two things - when will he shut up and/or what is it that's making him laugh?

If you are at all curious why people laugh so hard so often and enjoy life so much...read this book. Please. No, really.

It's not just funny. If you can say 'just' and the type of extreme hilarity I mean in the same sentence without blasting the meaning out of the word 'just.' It's life Essential. I happen to love reading philosophy, eastern, christian, anything I can get my hands on. I'm so glad I got my hands on this collection. You finish the book and realize that you know a whole lot more than you thought you did about your world. Fortunately, a great deal of that knowledge consists of knowing you barely know anything at all. One of my favorite passages, to end...

'"Look," he said in a stern voice. But he wasn't certain how far saying "Look" in a stern voice was necessarily going to get him, and time was not on his side. What the hell, he thought, you're only young once, and threw himself out the window. That would at lesat keep the element of surpise on his side.'

...Please, for yourself and your happiness in life, read this book. If you come away and are anything but overjoyed to be alive...read it again. You must have missed something. =)

-Mike Fliss - mdf@duke.edu

This series deserves Forty-Two stars
This is undoubtedly the best sci-fi-comedy ever written, and I say that with confidence. Douglas Adams' wit is unmatched in this genre. I have re-read this series at least 5 times, and it gets better each time. Thanks to Adams's insight, I too am on a continual search for the reason why 42 is the answer (just look how many times it pops up randomly... or not so randomly)

In this classic story, Arthur Dent, a lovable and easily-confused Earthling gets dragged on the journey of a lifetime as Earth is destroyed by a group of Vogons to make way for a hyperspace by-pass. He is joined by a host of unforgettable characters: the easy-going researcher for the Hitchhikker's Guide to the Galaxy Ford Prefect; the hyper Two-Headed, Three-Armed President of the Galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox; and his sexy companion former-Earth-reporter Trillian; and Marvin, the hopelessly depressed android. Together, they are off to explore the galaxy, battle with pesky mice-geniuses (no, not Pinky and the Brain), eat dinner at the end of the universe, travel through time, meet the man who designed Norway, redefine "improbability," patronize and annoy countless alien races, search for a decent cup of tea in an unforgivig universe, and continue the eternal quest to find out why 42 is so darn important.

Adams is a visionary. This is unlike any series I have ever read. Although "Mostly Harmless" was a slightly disappointing conclusion(?) to such an entertaining series, I will always consider the Hitchhikkers' "Trilogy" to be among the greats. If you do not own or have never read these books, then this compilation is a necessity for you. I recommend that you purchase it immediately, call in sick from work, school, or whatever, put up a small Somebody Else's Problem (SEP) field around you, and read it and again and again.


The Hitchhiker's Trilogy
Published in Hardcover by Crown Pub (1985)
Author: Douglas Adams
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Excellent Library Addition for Hitchhiker Trilogy Fans
This volume combines all five titles from the Hitchhiker Trilogy under one cover. If you are a fan of any or all of the Hitchhiker books, this is an excellent way to keep them all together. For those who have never read them but enjoy science fiction, it's a chance to discover a new Universe.

Titles combined include The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, the Universe, and Everything; So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish; and Mostly Harmless.

You'll travel with Arthur Dent from the destruction of the Earth throughout the Universe in a series of adventures and misadventures. He meets some of the most uproarious characters in the Universe, and realize he's met some of them before. All of this to answer the ultimate question of "Life, the Universe and Everything".

The book moves comparably in speed speed and action to the Hobbit, and Trilogy of the Rings. And wouldn't we all like to go "There and Back Again."

Science Fiction farce at its best
Douglas Adams is a master of the farcical science fiction novel, and here are three perfect examples in one collection! The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Restaurant at the end of the Universe, and Life, the Universe, and Everything compose the first three novels of the Hitchiker's trilogy (yes, there are four, check out So Long and Thanks for All the Fish). In this series, Arthur Dent, along with a broad array of alien companions seeks to discover the great question to the answer to life, the universe, and everything (the answer is 42). Along the way, excerpts from the greatest book of books, The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (vastly more popular than the Encyclopedia Galactica), force readers to laugh out loud and annoy people sitting around them by repeatedly saying, "You've got to read this book!"

If you're looking for a comical way to spend a boring day, grab yourself a copy of this book. You won't regret it.

A definite must-read
A modern-day masterpiece, Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Trilogy" is a fast read that will leave the reader rolling on the floor with laughter. The characters are richly written, from the ego-driven two-headed Zaphod Beeblebrox to the manic-depressive robot Marvin, making the reader empatize with them during their journeys through space and time. A true must-read for all.


The Illustrated Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Published in Hardcover by Harmony Books (1994)
Author: Douglas Adams
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Great book, irritating presentation
First, the good news: this contains the complete Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy novel, one of the greatest books ever written. Problem is, the photos and art that accompany this particular version only serve to distract the reader and snap him/her out of the fictional dream. Die-hard Adams fans are the only people who will really want this, and then purely as a conversation piece. If you are new to the world of the Guide, you would be better served by getting The Ultimate Hitch-Hiker's Guide, which has the text of this book plus the other four in the series and a short story, and no pictures.

The Illustrated HGTTG is a MUST for every D. Adams fan.
The story :
It's a thursday when the earth get's destroyed to make space
for a new hyperspace highway. The human Arthur Dent and
his friend, Ford Prefect from the Planet Beteigeuze, are
flagged up to the Vogon spaceship. From now on begins a
crazy travel through the Universe (and beyond) ...

Specials about this book:
If you are a real Douglas Adams fan, you MUST own this book.
The whole story is described with funny looking pictures,
and even Adams itself has a guest-role.


The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Published in Hardcover by Harmony Books (1982)
Author: Douglas Adams
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marvin's marvelous moment
Book two in the Hitchhiker's trilogy--"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is a very good follow up to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." Very funny in its own right, it still fails to achieve the brilliance yet to come in Books three and four.

That said, I'll take not-yet-quite-absolutely brilliant writing by Douglas Adams any day over most of the writers out there.

Marvin is the big scene stealer of book two...he comes darn close to hijacking the whole story. His conversation with the tank-like robot from Frogstar is a piece of comedic writing for the ages. Were it not for the insanity of Zaphod, the brilliance of Adams' depressed robot might stolen the whole show.

But oh--the mighty creation that is Zaphod Beeblebrox. Literature rarely produces such maniacal, unforgettable characters. His disdain for Arthur, his asides to Ford, his complete ineptitude in dealing with Trillian, and most of all--his strained relations with his ancestors. No, Marvin steals some scenes here...but this is Zaphod's book.

The range of Adams' satiric gifts never fails to astound me. The scene in Milliways speaks more effectively to the human condition than many sets of other volumes ever could. We all sit at the edge of oblivion every day. Are we to be mere spectators? Or will we work to create something more?

I give "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" my heartfelt recommendation.

Great Story but a Step Down From the 1st in the "Trilogy"
When I was in elementary school, this was a common series read by the male nerds and geeks in my school. After reading it, I can now see how much it shaped their speech patterns and writing styles. I found myself smiling as clouds of nostalgia unexpectedly overtook me while reading the series. I was also surprised to find phrases original to this series that have worked their way into the American culture. For example, in order to understand people who speak other languages, the characters in this series simply put a "Babelfish" in their ear. In real life, Babel Fish is a language translation program available on the internet. Since the book it appears in was published in 1979, there's no question of which came first.

In THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, we found out that the earth was actually created as an organic supercomputer with the sole purpose of determining the answer to life, the universe and everything. Arthur Dent finds himself whisked away from the earth only moments before the earth is destroyed to make way for a intergalactic bypass highway. Unfortunately, this is right before the earth was to have computed the answer to the question. He and Ford (an alien that has been marooned on earth) hitch a ride on the unsuspecting spacecraft that has just caused the destruction of the earth. They continue their hitchhiking journey throughout the galaxy to a ship called the Heart of Gold (which is actually a stolen vehicle). There, they meet with a series of unlikely coincidences thanks to the ship's Infinite Improbability Drive.

THE RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE
The HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY ends as the Heart of Gold heads for a bite to eat at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Evidently this restaurant must be reached by traveling forward in time to the actual end of the universe. Every night, a big show is made of the big bang that ends the universe. Luckily, the restaurant is protected from the effects and can make a show of it night after night. The only disappointing thing is that Author Dent and his friends miss the show as they attempt to stow away and hitchhike yet another ride in entirely the wrong vehicle. To make a long story short, Arthur and Ford end up marooned on prehistoric earth with a bunch of cave men and some amazingly stupid people who have been exiled from their own planet. Could these idiotic hairdressers and phone sanitizers be our true ancestors? In this book, we also meet the man in charge of the universe. Strangely enough, he is a forgetful old hermit who spends most of his time in his shack talking to his cat and his table or pondering the use of a pencil.

This series is bizarre comic sarcasm at its best. A smile automatically paints itself on your face as you begin to read. The series reads like a highly improbable dream sequence. I sort of wonder if the author had any conclusion in mind when he wrote it or if he just let the story write itself (not unlike a dream). This, the second book in the "trilogy" isn't quite as fast-paced in the beginning, but things do pick up toward the end.

Dinner is a few light-years away...
After the destruction of Earth, and beginning their search for the answer to "Everything", Arthur Dent and Co. decide to take a little break from their quest and stop by at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe where the food is as odd as it can get.

"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is the second book to the trilogy "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. Book one, first of all, should be read first since most of the background information is in there. This sequel is again also a must read for anyone who enjoys humor and science fiction. The best part of this book I think is that the author has the most craziet ideas impanted into the storyline. Also as a definite positive in this book is that the characters and storyline are very well built. Even though character attributes are not given direct and clear, their actions and speech can give you the idea of unique characters who can be easily distinguished from each other. The storyline, after reading the book, you will be able to tell that it has everything needed for a well built story, especially the exploation of the author's own special world.

Even though thay are from the same trilogy, I think that the first and second book has different purpose to it. Both books are extremely funny, but book one was to explain the basic points and create the scene for the story to flow in, while "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is more packed with adventure and discovery. Anyways, before this sounds like a analization, I would recommend this book not for just people who like humor and science fiction like I said above, but to everyone. This book isn't very long, so it'a very readable. There are almost no slow parts in the story so it's not monotone. So if you got a few minutes each day, find this book and start reading!


Life, the Universe and Everything
Published in Hardcover by Random House Value Pub (1986)
Author: Douglas Adams
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Ho hum...
"Life, the Universe, and Everything" took me months on end to get through. Every time I opened the book I'd think "Ha, ha! What a funny and crazy man that Adams is. Why don't I read this more?", but after a few pages I'd grow weary. This book is genuinely funny, but I think instead of being a five-book trilogy, the Hitchhiker's franchise should have stopped at one. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was one of my favorite books for a time, and still holds a special place in my literary tastes. It's hilarious, and Douglas Adams has undoubtedly the sharpest wit this side of Oscar Wilde! Unfortunately, his abilities in the field of plot propulsion are weak at best. I read through this series, loving the first, liking the second, and by the time I got to this one, I just felt like asking what's the POINT? All this book was was another opportunity for the author to demonstrate his wit, which is, i reiterate, amazing. However, it's not enough to keep me reading, ...

Watch for the Anti-War subtext
Another winner from Douglas Adams. Arthur Dent, I increasingly believe, can perhaps best be compared to Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit, from J.R.R. Tolkien's classic books. He is a basically very humdrum guy, who gets pulled into this kaleidoscopic world of adventure through no wish of his own... In this book, at any rate, the references to the game cricket went mostly over, or perhaps under, my American head, but most of this book has to do with the insanity of war, which of course is a pretty universal message.

The White Robots of Krikkit sound a lot like the stormtroopers from Star Wars, but it's probably better to compare then directly with the Nazis from which those stormtroopers themselves were in all likelihood derived. The theme is of how most people from the planet Krikkit want to enjoy life, listen to music, have their own little farm to raise a family on, etc, while the warlords that run their government are constantly trying to get them fanatically worked up to go forth and conquer the universe. Trillian gets some of her first real character development in the whole series, or at least a few solid lines, when she is the one to piece this simple fact together, along with some other, less simple facts. Again, a very cool book, and one which makes you think in a good way about some really important stuff.

The Best Book Ever!!
Life, the Universe and Everything, by Douglas Adams, is a story of unmatched proportions, tying in satirical humor with an amazingly complex storyline. The people of Krikkit have been looking at the same features every night in the sky, and are sick of it, simply because there are no features. Krikkit is located inside a dust cloud, and when a mysterious spaceship crash lands on the planet, it puts the people in a sense of panic. They find out there are things out there, and don't like it, they enjoyed their solidarity. It is now that they must destroy the entire universe, and regain that piece of mind.
It is Arthur Dent's job to make sure that none of this happens. Arthur is a human who was rescued from earth, just as it was about to be blown up by blood thirsty mongrels, named Vogons, to make way for a hyper space bypass. Along to help Arthur is the man who rescued him, Ford Prefect, Tricia McMillan (Trillian), the ex-president of the galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox, and a handy man from a planet factory, Slartibartfast.
In this story, the 3rd in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series, it starts out on prehistoric earth, and through the marvels of time travel, Arthur Dent is teetering on the edge of insanity, while living in a cave where his house will be located in another couple billion years. In the mean time, Ford Prefect has decided to resort to animal cruelty in Africa, until he decides that it is time to try to find a way back to their time. Along the way they meet up with Slartibartfast, who tells them of the pending problem. The people from the land of Krikkit are about to escape from a "Slow Time Envelope", which is supposed to only open when all other life in the universe has disappeared. It is now their job to try to keep the inhabitants of Krikkit from attacking the galaxy, and restore peaceful life to all of the people of the universe. Can Arthur do it? To find out, read Life, the Universe and Everything. But be sure to read the other books in the series before to avoid complete confusion.


So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Published in Hardcover by Harmony Books (1985)
Author: Douglas Adams
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Good, but very different from the rest of the series
My theory is that Douglas Adams had 2 worries after the first part of this whole series. First of all, jeez louise, he sure was giving poor Arthur Dent a hard time... couldn't he at least maybe let him have a girlfriend? And second of all, how about the dolphins? Douglas Adams is really into animal rights, the environment, etc, and it just seemed a little perfunctory to have them all totally obliterated along with the Earth just because of that whole business about the interstellar hyperspace bypass. In this book, dolphins, Arthur, and Arthur's (surprise) girlfriend somehow come together, with a variety of mutant plot twists along the way.

As usual with these books, I envy anyone coming to them for the first time. Watch for the "Rain God", he is quite hilarious, and sort of a stand-in for Marvin in some ways. Ford Prefect has sort of a guest appearance, he isn't exactly central to the plot, but he becomes important in some ways at the very end.

I would tell a new Douglas Adams fan to read this as a love story, Adams' gift to the hapless Arthur Dent. The wackiness is MUCH lass omnipresent here than it is in the other books, so be warned. Basically good stuff, but very distinct in tone from the rest of the series.

Best Adams novel of all!
This is by far the best of all of Douglas Adams's novels - including the entire Hitchhiker's series and both Dirk Gently books. It contains all-new material, not just scenes from the radio series rearranged and slightly altered. Adams splits off Arthur Dent from the rest of his friends and throws him into the strangest situation of all: his galactic hitchhiking has led him back to Earth, an Earth which had long ago been destroyed by the Vogons, but is, for some reason, still there.

Adams is at his best here, creating wonderful imagery and great new characters. He perfectly captures the sensations of falling in love. The comedy is gentle, and the science-fiction elements nearly take a back seat to the love story - but come back in a big way when a long-estranged friend shows up.

In M.J. Simpson's Douglas Adams biography "Hitchhiker", he maintains that many DNA fans (including Simpson) regard this as his worst book - an opinion Adams seemed to share (but Simpson points out that Adams had this opinion of most of his books at one point or another.) As a fan from the very first NPR radio broadcasts, I respectfully - and strongly - disagree. This is Adams at his gentlest, and his most poetic, and his best - in fiction, anyway. The nonfiction "Last Chance To See", itself a love story of sorts, is the only long-form Adams that I would rate higher.

Character review, environmental commentary
Adams chooses to focus mainly on Arthur Dent in his fourth novel in the Hitchhiker's series. He also begins to make commentary on the environmental damage we are causing our planet. Many Hitchhiker's fans have criticized Adams on this point, but I praise him for having the courage to make this sort of statement in this series. It is still a very funny novel (I mean, we find out that humans are actually only the _third_ most intelligent creature on Earth, somewhere behind...well, I won't ruin it for you), but Adams chooses to tackle some serious topics within it. The ending was slightly disappointing, but mainly because it took him so long to write the fifth book. If you are reading the series, don't let anyone discourage you from reading this book. It is a necessary and natural part of the series, and I feel that it is an excellent novel in and of itself.

Note: For those readers who enjoyed the environmental commentary and are interested in this subject, try reading Adams' "Last Chance To See," a non-fiction work and what I consider to be one of the best books I have ever had the priviledge to read.


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