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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
The only part of this book I truest enjoyed was the first couple pages describing airports. I just couldn’t get into this book. Occasionally some witty remark would earn a chuckle, but overall the plot was slow to get started and just not that interesting once you figure out what is going on. I love his other books, so maybe my expectations were just too high?
Liked this a bit more than the first Dirk Gently, but did not feel the love I remember for it back then. I very much enjoyed reading about Odin and Thor roaming about and see how this was likely a seed that contributed to Neil Gaiman's American Gods. This was a confection and not v. satisfying to me.
Originally August 2011.
2016: listened with the kids to it read aloud by my husband. It benefits from a read aloud, and the boys were delighted with it.
Originally August 2011.
2016: listened with the kids to it read aloud by my husband. It benefits from a read aloud, and the boys were delighted with it.
This was one of my favorite books as a kid, but on reread, I don’t love it? Pretty bummed.
...Huh. This novel lost me a little more than the first Dirk Gently book did, and the whole mystery is tied up rather more abruptly and less elegantly too. Douglas Adams's observational humour and general witticisms remain on point, though the latter bits lose that levity somewhat... Not quite sure what he was going for there, but nevertheless enjoyable reading.
Uh? That ending? Can it be called that? Even though this was my second time reading this, it seemed like it didn't wrap up at the end, it just was over. I feel like I'm still in progress with it because I seem to have missed a conclusion.
Really enjoyed this one, highly recommend! Dirk's almost accidental talents in unravelling impossibly possible mysteries shines brightest here I think. As usual with Adams' books, there are plenty of great characters to meet and many laughs to be had. My only gripe was that the ending (or the few chapters before it) felt slightly disappointing, and I haven't quite worked out why yet...
"'You are an extremely inquisitive and presumptuous young lady,' exclaimed Dirk.
'And you,' said Sally Mills, 'are very strange.'
'Only,' said Dirk, 'as strange as I need to be.'" (86)
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
"'Immortals are what you wanted, said Thor in a low, quiet voice. 'Immortals are what you got. It is a little hard on us. You wanted us to be for ever, so we are for ever. Then you forget about us. But still we are for ever. Now at last, many are dead, many dying,' he then added in quiet voice, 'but it takes a special effort.'" (176)
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
I first read this book many years ago and - due to the one bonus of advancing age - remembered nothing about it. This is supposed to be Douglas' "worst" book but I beg to differ. I really enjoyed it, and it's sad that Dirk Gently never got more adventures.
Predating [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg]'s [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods (American Gods, #1)|Neil Gaiman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462924585l/30165203._SY75_.jpg|1970226], it nevertheless shares a similar idea: of the old gods still lingering in the modern world, fading for lack of belief.
Dirk Gently, a private detective with a rumpled, buffoonish exterior that disguises a sharp mind, is a "holistic" detective who believes in the "interconnectednesss of all things". Things tend to happen around him, and he bumbles around from strand to strand until he gets himself caught firmly and can finally see the whole sticky web, being in danger (and a danger to himself) the whole while.
Dirk is hired to protect a client from an unlikely supernatural threat but he (in typical fashion) oversleeps and the client ends up dead, with a contract stating he sold something - presumably his soul - in an unknown language.
Meanwhile, practical no-nonsense Kate Schechter experiences an actual "Act of God" - she's behind Thor at the airport check-in desk when he gets frustrated and loses his temper. Curious but skeptical, she can't leave it alone and knows she's not crazy.
Eventually, Dirk's meandering rambling path crosses with Kate's determined one, and that of Odin-the-All-Father, who just wants to stay in the comfortable nursing home of his choice.
Delightfully entertaining and clever, this stands up well despite its age! Dirk is definitely a love him or loathe him kind of guy, but I know which side I'm on :)
'And you,' said Sally Mills, 'are very strange.'
'Only,' said Dirk, 'as strange as I need to be.'" (86)
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
"'Immortals are what you wanted, said Thor in a low, quiet voice. 'Immortals are what you got. It is a little hard on us. You wanted us to be for ever, so we are for ever. Then you forget about us. But still we are for ever. Now at last, many are dead, many dying,' he then added in quiet voice, 'but it takes a special effort.'" (176)
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
I first read this book many years ago and - due to the one bonus of advancing age - remembered nothing about it. This is supposed to be Douglas' "worst" book but I beg to differ. I really enjoyed it, and it's sad that Dirk Gently never got more adventures.
Predating [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg]'s [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods (American Gods, #1)|Neil Gaiman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462924585l/30165203._SY75_.jpg|1970226], it nevertheless shares a similar idea: of the old gods still lingering in the modern world, fading for lack of belief.
Dirk Gently, a private detective with a rumpled, buffoonish exterior that disguises a sharp mind, is a "holistic" detective who believes in the "interconnectednesss of all things". Things tend to happen around him, and he bumbles around from strand to strand until he gets himself caught firmly and can finally see the whole sticky web, being in danger (and a danger to himself) the whole while.
Dirk is hired to protect a client from an unlikely supernatural threat but he (in typical fashion) oversleeps and the client ends up dead, with a contract stating he sold something - presumably his soul - in an unknown language.
Meanwhile, practical no-nonsense Kate Schechter experiences an actual "Act of God" - she's behind Thor at the airport check-in desk when he gets frustrated and loses his temper. Curious but skeptical, she can't leave it alone and knows she's not crazy.
Eventually, Dirk's meandering rambling path crosses with Kate's determined one, and that of Odin-the-All-Father, who just wants to stay in the comfortable nursing home of his choice.
Delightfully entertaining and clever, this stands up well despite its age! Dirk is definitely a love him or loathe him kind of guy, but I know which side I'm on :)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
funny
I am very used to being confused by Douglas Adams in some way but I was very unprepared for this book. I followed along well enough but nothing made sense. I did enjoy it but I also didn't know the end goal.