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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I kind of expected Dirk to be in the story more since he's the title character. He doesn't even show up until about halfway through. That being said, it was a fun book and definitely weird (in a good way).
I really enjoyed this book, maybe even more than "Hitch hikers". I felt it had a slight tinge of "Dr Who" ( another of my favourites), and after checking, I realised why - Mr Adams had indeed been involved with a series of Dr Who programmes called "Shada" which sadly never hit the TV screens.
For those who may have missed it - like me, this book was made into a TV pilot programme and aired 2010. Apparantly the pilot and a further 3 episode is available on DVD - so I might actually search that out on Amazon!
For those who may have missed it - like me, this book was made into a TV pilot programme and aired 2010. Apparantly the pilot and a further 3 episode is available on DVD - so I might actually search that out on Amazon!
This is the first book for my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge for the year. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency covers my Science Fiction Novel requirement. I however was not thrilled with the book. I think it was because I had watched the TV show and loved it. Upon reading the first few pages I could tell it would be very different from the show but I kept reading. It was intriguing and made me laugh at certain points but I could not connect. I have read the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and loved it. I am sure this book is great I think I was not in the right mood or mind space to enjoy this book as much as it should be in joyed. I will have to come back and read it again.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
All the way through the book I was thinking: how is this all going to come together? There were so many random characters, and so many random happenstances (made me think of Dean "Accidents don't happen accidentally" Winchester) - it all had to be connected. So while I was reading I was also thinking about how to summarize this book... but I simply can't. It's amazing, especially towards the end when you think you've finally figured it out. Let me tell you: you haven't. No. There's a fucking plottwist in the last five pages and it's amazing.
I love Douglas Adams, and I'm looking forward to getting the second and third book of the series to see what else is going on in Dirk Gently (Cjelli's) life. Or well... not so much life, but his holistic detective agency. It's definitely nothing like the Netflix series, but that makes it even better because you can read the novel and not be spoiled about the ending of the series. Although there are some similar elements, they are still nothing alike.
(Also, initially I wanted to rate this novel 4/5 instead of 5/5, but the last few pages really made me reconsider ;) ) Please read this and watch the series - it's worth it.
I love Douglas Adams, and I'm looking forward to getting the second and third book of the series to see what else is going on in Dirk Gently (Cjelli's) life. Or well... not so much life, but his holistic detective agency. It's definitely nothing like the Netflix series, but that makes it even better because you can read the novel and not be spoiled about the ending of the series. Although there are some similar elements, they are still nothing alike.
(Also, initially I wanted to rate this novel 4/5 instead of 5/5, but the last few pages really made me reconsider ;) ) Please read this and watch the series - it's worth it.
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
A fascinating blend of comedy, philosophy, science, literature and mystery. I wish I’d read it a lot earlier but have been pacing myself with Adams’s work since his untimely death.
Funny, as expected from Adams, but the plot doesn't really come together cohesively until a third of the way into the book and even then it's more exposition than a mystery that we can figure out along with Dirk Gently and Richard.
Dirk Gently is a "holistic detective" who believes in the interconnectedness of all things and when, while on a stakeout, he chances upon a friend acting unusually he gets drawn into a murder involving aliens, ghosts, time travel, King George III, and a lot of clever banter. This book reminded me of a Dr. Who episode with its pacing, the odd supernatural elements, and time travel figuring so prominently in the resolution of the mystery. This book was a really enjoyable read, keeping the reader wanting more and watching for all of the clever asides, pop culture references, and scientific theories. This book does a great job of setting up and solving it's central mystery while leaving enough unsaid for future adventures.
I started reading this because I love the show by BBCAmerica. I really enjoyed Douglas Adams' writing but I have to say I prefer the tv show where Max Landis made Dirk a more lovable character. Still, I really liked Reg and Gordon here. I probably would've enjoyed more if I could read it in much shorter time.
https://superfluousreading.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-dirk-gently-1-by-douglas-adams