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mpclemens's review against another edition
2.0
The final entry into the radio plays shows just how far afield Adams got from his original silly little radio drama about Arthur Dent. This very abbreviated phase introduces a number of Big Ideas inspired by the original work -- the notion of a probability continuum, most notably, and "plural zones" -- and it's a shame that Adams didn't get a chance to incorporate all these ideas right from the start, as they would have certainly led to some direction in the otherwise flabby middle episodes of the series.
This phase doesn't have much urgency to the plot, and rushes through large swaths of story to reach the ending... or non-ending, as it turns out, as all the characters come back out for one final bow. This is, perhaps, as satisfying an ending as you could expect from a storyline that's taken the listener through multiple dimensions and character iterations: there isn't one pat ending, because there isn't one single storyline, but a whole great mishmash posing as a coherent story. The quintessential phase is an attempt to reign in all the scattered particles of story and put a neat bow on it. It doesn't quite work.
The neatest ending, however, would have been not to end at all and to leave the story back at the end of the original Hitchhiker's story -- Arthur and Ford, exploring a strange, unexplainable universe with only a trusty towel and a battered Guide to lead them.
This phase doesn't have much urgency to the plot, and rushes through large swaths of story to reach the ending... or non-ending, as it turns out, as all the characters come back out for one final bow. This is, perhaps, as satisfying an ending as you could expect from a storyline that's taken the listener through multiple dimensions and character iterations: there isn't one pat ending, because there isn't one single storyline, but a whole great mishmash posing as a coherent story. The quintessential phase is an attempt to reign in all the scattered particles of story and put a neat bow on it. It doesn't quite work.
The neatest ending, however, would have been not to end at all and to leave the story back at the end of the original Hitchhiker's story -- Arthur and Ford, exploring a strange, unexplainable universe with only a trusty towel and a battered Guide to lead them.
egumeny's review against another edition
5.0
I think the changes made from "Mostly Harmless" to this actually enhance the story. I might even like the radio play adaptation more than the original book in this case.
noahh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
danielmbensen's review against another edition
3.0
The radio play was not nearly as good as the book. A lot got cut, and the tacked-on happy ending didn't work. I mostly listened to it because I love the theme music and so I can read and enjoy the book that much sooner. I owe this book a lot, from the way I appreciate a sandwich to the way I visualize the higher dimensions. What is it that's printed on the world-destroying tool wielded by petty-minded villains? "Panic."
hannahh's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
studiomikarts's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
If you've gotten this far in the radio series, there's no reason to stop! This installment was not only just as humorous and mind-bending as all the previous ones, it even ended in such a way as to patch up the heart that the Quandary Phase broke 💖 I honestly had happy tears in my eyes at the end. It was so moving! And with all the probability and multiversal stuff that's been thrown around since the very beginning, it was perfectly believable, even if it was different from the original novel.
This ends the material I had some familiarity with (even if I had forgotten most of it). Next, the Hexagonal Phase, which I have absolutely no idea about. I haven't read the book it's based on yet (though I do have it ready in my library!), all I know is that it was posthumously written by another author. I'm actually quite looking forward to it!
This ends the material I had some familiarity with (even if I had forgotten most of it). Next, the Hexagonal Phase, which I have absolutely no idea about. I haven't read the book it's based on yet (though I do have it ready in my library!), all I know is that it was posthumously written by another author. I'm actually quite looking forward to it!
smallish_bear's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
dubiousdeeds's review against another edition
4.0
"Fenchurch, when are you off work?"
"Shortly after the apocalypse"
"Do you wanna go fly with me then?"
"Always"
I'm not crying, you're crying.
This one actually profited from the fast pace and is still one of my favorites of the series in general.
"Shortly after the apocalypse"
"Do you wanna go fly with me then?"
"Always"
I'm not crying, you're crying.
This one actually profited from the fast pace and is still one of my favorites of the series in general.
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