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superverse1731's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Just as Reg said, a bit anti-climactic. But just as Dirk said, blast the bloody albatross!
Loved it. Think it'll influence me for quite a while.
Loved it. Think it'll influence me for quite a while.
starsal's review against another edition
4.0
A fun romp. Inscrutable in places, often devastatingly funny, and with an absolutely heartbreaking scene about a man, his time machine, and the lost dodos. (Which, I can't help but point out, references my favorite of Adams's books, [b: Last Chance to See|8696|Last Chance to See|Douglas Adams|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327867839l/8696._SY75_.jpg|525730].)
hopeanvalkea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
dpc25's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
tristenkozinski's review against another edition
3.0
Listed to the audio book. Narrator was fine but didn't add much to the story.
I was initially anticipating reading Dirk Gently's due to having read and very much enjoyed the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but the book ultimately didn't resonate with me until the later half. I think this is mostly due to the first half of the book being more mundane, with the more outlandish elements (aliens, ghosts, time travel, Dirk Gently) only entering the the narrative later on. The only truly wacky element in the first half-ish of the book was the electric monk, and he was reserved to a few short scenes.
The mystery elements of the book were pretty fun, but again late to arrive. The characters were serviceable but the focus lay a bit too much/too long on the straight-men of the narrative. The initial comedy was fine, and I could see the humor and cleverness, but it failed to get a good laugh out of me.
I was initially anticipating reading Dirk Gently's due to having read and very much enjoyed the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but the book ultimately didn't resonate with me until the later half. I think this is mostly due to the first half of the book being more mundane, with the more outlandish elements (aliens, ghosts, time travel, Dirk Gently) only entering the the narrative later on. The only truly wacky element in the first half-ish of the book was the electric monk, and he was reserved to a few short scenes.
The mystery elements of the book were pretty fun, but again late to arrive. The characters were serviceable but the focus lay a bit too much/too long on the straight-men of the narrative. The initial comedy was fine, and I could see the humor and cleverness, but it failed to get a good laugh out of me.
sarah_ohara's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Like everything Douglas Adams wrote, this book was a delight to read. Witty, clever, and immensely quotable, Adams also has an incredible talent for metaphor and description that is both eloquent and succint. This book stays true to his ability to tell a rather silly story in a way that feels vital, familiar and surprising in turns. I'll have to immediately read the sequel to see what Dirk Gently gets up to next.
junkyardgod's review against another edition
3.0
Douglas Adams was clearly a talent in writing and humour with everything I've read of his so far - but I found this to be so meandering for the majority of the book. Some chapters it was a slight trudge to get through.
Even at the halfway point, it felt like the story was still in its opening stages - then when it starts to get really interesting there's about two or three dozen pages left.
I enjoyed it overall, just felt very slow and unfocused for a lot of it (and I get that might be the point for those twists and the tying of knots at the end for earlier events). Still glad I read it though.
Even at the halfway point, it felt like the story was still in its opening stages - then when it starts to get really interesting there's about two or three dozen pages left.
I enjoyed it overall, just felt very slow and unfocused for a lot of it (and I get that might be the point for those twists and the tying of knots at the end for earlier events). Still glad I read it though.
shimmer_and_shine's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
I really wasn't feeling the beginning of the book and thought it was a very slow start. However, it started picking up around the middle and then got pretty out there with the time travel aspect, which I didn't expect. Some parts were a little hard to follow writing wise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Fatphobia and Racism
palaeolly's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75