Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Okay, it's no secret that I'm a fan of Douglas Adams's work. But there's a good reason for that. I am extremely critical of the fiction I read, so when I find something I really like, it's a rare and joyous occasion. Adams had a way of turning a phrase that made me want to weep. The man had rare talent and a cunning intellect--an amazing combination. His writing skills really come through in the Dirk Gently books (Holistic Detective Agency and Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul).
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Exactly what we expect from Douglas Adams, he takes the detective/mystery novel and adds his own twists, turns, and novelties. Took me a little while to get drawn in, but once I was, I couldn't stop reading.
I just finished re-reading this; I usually read it about once a decade or so. The Dirk Gently books are by far the best works of Adams, though I love all of them. Just Dirk Gently more.
This wasn't quite as hilarious as Hitchhiker's Guide, but it still made me laugh. The plot was much more cohesive, too. I loved it (even though I'm not quite sure what happened at the end). I especially like how Adams's love for science shined through the writing.
... I'm not sure if I understand what happened. I think that comes with Douglas Adams territory.
I legit have no clue.
I legit have no clue.
I came here after loving Hitchhiker's and enjoying the Dirk Gently Netflix series. The book does not mirror the TV show in characters or story, other than Dirk, and even then he is much different than portrayed in the TV show. Casting those preconceived ideas aside, I read the book. It had a bit of the Douglas Adams writing style I enjoyed, and some enjoyable plot points, but ended quite abruptly and was overall not as satisfying as I had hoped. Still worth your time if you're a Douglas Adams fan, but definitely not my new favourite.
Comments in <20 words: 7 chapters before anything resembling plot; 14 chapters before proper Dirk Gently. Slowly, all (nonsensical) things fundamentally interconnected.
Richard MacDuff is somehow neglecting his girlfriend Susan due to his excess of work, and leaves a message on her answering machine that he immediately regrets. Richard then decides to break into Susan's apartment to erase the message, but he is caught in the act by the holistic detective Dirk Gently. When Susan's brother is murdered, Dirk decides to act on behalf of Richard, even if the police is not really suspecting him.
This book gets better every time I read it. I understand it is hard to keep up with the plot and characters, so I would suggest a new reader to just enjoy Adams' marvellous imagination and hilarious character development on a first read. The author is extremely quotable! When you think you understand what happened, then go read it again because the story eventually makes sense and you will be able to laugh twice as much.
This book gets better every time I read it. I understand it is hard to keep up with the plot and characters, so I would suggest a new reader to just enjoy Adams' marvellous imagination and hilarious character development on a first read. The author is extremely quotable! When you think you understand what happened, then go read it again because the story eventually makes sense and you will be able to laugh twice as much.
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2019: A book that makes you nostalgic.
It's been a very long time since I last read this book, hence the nostalgia. Plus Douglas Adams was a big part of my childhood thanks to my Dad playing us H2G2 and having his books on the shelf. Literally all I could remember about this book was the sofa stuck on the landing so it was nice to come back to it fresh. Typical Adams, absurd and strangely optimistic by equal measures with lots of fantastic quotable lines. My only real criticism is that it took a bit too long for things to come together, so the book felt like a lot of really random encounters all smushed together for quite a long time.
Satisfying in the end, though.
It's been a very long time since I last read this book, hence the nostalgia. Plus Douglas Adams was a big part of my childhood thanks to my Dad playing us H2G2 and having his books on the shelf. Literally all I could remember about this book was the sofa stuck on the landing so it was nice to come back to it fresh. Typical Adams, absurd and strangely optimistic by equal measures with lots of fantastic quotable lines. My only real criticism is that it took a bit too long for things to come together, so the book felt like a lot of really random encounters all smushed together for quite a long time.
Satisfying in the end, though.
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A