The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy [Archive] - Literature Forums at Literature Junction

jibbly

11-05-2004, 08:02 AM

mazarane

11-05-2004, 08:33 AM

Total Comic & Satiric Genius!

i absolutely loved that book! have you read the Salmon of Doubt? if you haven't you should pick it up. it gives a bit of insight on DNA and some unpublished stuff too.

the way the story flows is just crazy, how does a person even begin to think like that?
no...I've not read the Salmon of Doubt yet, only the Hitch-Hikers "Trilogy" and the Dirk Gently books. I will doubtless read it at some point..

I have to say I thought the Dirk Gently books were generally every bit as good as the Trilogy, though they don't have anywhere near the same level of publicity. I'm guessing you've read them- what do you think?

As to the thought processes...I doubt there's a school :wink:

jibbly

11-07-2004, 08:09 PM

alas...i have not yet read the Dirk Gently books. a shame really, because i have heard that they are great stories.

i'll get to them eventually i figure.

ArthurDent

11-19-2004, 04:06 AM

err.. Yes, Hello. As you can judge by the nick, I am of the "Adams=Genius" school :D

While i agree that the Dirk Gently books are the equals of the "Trilogy", after all, The Hitch Hiker's guide to the galaxy is the best selling book in the universe:)

Anyway, This is my bible and i have it in a packet with friendly letters saying "Don't Panic". Yep. I'm a nutter:)

Star_Anise

11-20-2004, 03:01 AM

Don't worry, I wander around saying things like "Thursdays - I never can get the hang of Thursdays" and muttering about Hamlet and monkeys.
Haven't read the Dirk Gently books yet, but have read Salmon of Doubt.

What about Mostly Harmless? Seemed to me that cynicism got the better of Adams in that one, a little too heavy, no where near as good as the other parts of the "Trilogy".

Is anyone familiar with The Meaning of Liff, a type of dictionary he co-authored with John Lloyd? Hilarious, people should use these words more often. I do.

ArthurDent

11-20-2004, 03:47 AM

What about Mostly Harmless? Seemed to me that cynicism got the better of Adams in that one, a little too heavy, no where near as good as the other parts of the "Trilogy".

I hear ya'

I think of Mostly Harmless as the darker side of the guide. Like "The empire strikes back" for the Star Wars. But i enjoyed it as well.

mazarane

11-20-2004, 06:55 AM

Is 'Mostly Harmless' the one where Arthur is making sandwiches before the thing with Random? The books are at home and the titles aren't all that descriptive :roll:

lifetaster

01-20-2005, 04:14 PM

Love these books!!!!

and was at the movies a couple of days ago, and it looks as if they are doing a new version of Hitchhiker's Guide...

Anyone remember the old BBC (?) version?

Ygraine

01-20-2005, 04:45 PM

Sadly I have only read the first book, largely because the others are hidden somewhere in the depths of one of our other bookshelves, and, what with them being triple-stacked at least, I have not yet had the necessary time or patience to search for them. In fact, it would probably be easier to buy them again...

Apparently they are indeed making a new film. ALthough all I can remember of it off the top of my head is that one of the guys from The Office (don't ask me which, I've never seen it) is playing Arthur Dent. They'll be hard-pushed to beat the original in the "technology so bad, it adds to the humour" stakes.

Mercurial

01-20-2005, 06:21 PM

It is quite possibly the most amazing book ever written. This is simply because anytime I read it, I become happy. It's like.......heroin. In book form. The prose is immensely witty and the situations that occur are just so interesting. I think everyone should worship this book. It's just so quotable as well.

mazarane

02-13-2005, 10:46 AM

Be careful talking like that, you'll be encouraging everyone to try heroin :p ;)

Ygraine- you really will have to track the rest of them down!

I've not seen the older filmed version, but will doubtless watch the new one- fingers crossed for quality!

What did you guys think of the rest of the series and how it compared to the original? I think the later books were generally just as good to be honest, although I do have trouble remembering what happens in which!

ArthurDent

02-14-2005, 12:03 AM

Love these books!!!!

and was at the movies a couple of days ago, and it looks as if they are doing a new version of Hitchhiker's Guide...

Anyone remember the old BBC (?) version?

April 29th, 2005 - In a theatre near you :) I am counting the hours...

fiveyearwinter

02-18-2005, 10:58 AM

Is it just me, or did each book get less funny? I thought the first three were side-splitting, but the last two, and most of all Mostly Hardless, weren't very good at all. :(

Star_Anise

02-18-2005, 12:06 PM

Is it just me, or did each book get less funny? I thought the first three were side-splitting, but the last two, and most of all Mostly Hardless, weren't very good at all. :(

I think I mentioned something like before. I could just be going a little insane. Very possible. But I agree - I love the first three, not particularly fond of So Long and Thanks For All The Fish, and I really can't appreciate Mostly Harmless. I can re-read the first three constantly, but the rest, I can take or leave really.

fiveyearwinter

02-18-2005, 12:42 PM

Yay! A kindred spirit. We shall die martyr's deaths together when people find out we are not true disciples of the Adams.

Star_Anise

02-18-2005, 01:00 PM

Yay! A kindred spirit. We shall die martyr's deaths together when people find out we are not true disciples of the Adams.

Oh, but I am a true disciple. However, in my book, this means telling the truth. So I can criticise all I want and I shall still be among the blessed. We can still die martyr's deaths if you really want, but this will probably be because we get caught in a siege on a publishing building and refuse to take the elevators to save ourselves :p.

fiveyearwinter

02-18-2005, 01:42 PM

Verily, I say, it shall be sung in the ecstatic Marshes of Fallia, and we shall enjoy eternal bliss, and knowledge, and our towels shall always be with us, even to the end of the Age. Amen and Amen.

ArthurDent

02-18-2005, 04:23 PM

Is it just me, or did each book get less funny? I thought the first three were side-splitting, but the last two, and most of all Mostly Hardless, weren't very good at all. :(

I don't think that Adams was trying just to be funny... There are some serious stories in these book and for one, I like them.

fiveyearwinter

02-18-2005, 04:48 PM

Well, I mean, to each his own. I certainly am glad you can appreciate them.

I found the set of hardcovers, with dust jacket, of the first three when the last two hadn't been published. They're from the 70s I believe, in wonderful condition. :) I love them.

Ygraine

04-01-2005, 09:23 AM

The trailer for the new film is up on the website (the address of which I have temporarily forgotten, but searching google will no doubt yield it). Arthur Dent looks promising and the effects are fairly impressive, but I have huge problems believing that Ford Prefect comes from Guildford

ArthurDent

04-01-2005, 02:47 PM

but I have huge problems believing that Ford Prefect comes from Guildford

That's because he's actually from somewhere in the vicinity of beetleguise(sp?) :)

Star_Anise

04-02-2005, 08:36 AM

but I have huge problems believing that Ford Prefect comes from Guildford

Maybe because Ford's "hair was wiry and gingerish and brushed backwards from the temples. His skin seemed to be pulled backwards from the nose. There was something very slightly odd about him, but it was difficult to say what is was."

Which is nothing at all like the actor playing him (check out http://www.scifimoviepage.com/upcoming/photos/hitch1.jpg), he looks far too normal, for one thing.

Ygraine

04-02-2005, 12:55 PM

That's because he's actually from somewhere in the vicinity of beetleguise(sp?) :)

Of course, but even Arthur wouldn't believe the GUildfor cover story if given to him by that actor.

From what I've seen so far, the film isn't going to rival the old BBC version, no matter how appalling the effects were on that. Of course, I am still greatly looking forward to the new film

catfish_head

04-07-2005, 08:16 PM

pure genius! He points out many of the absurdities in the universe and causes us to laught at them. But of course some of the humor must be wacky and silly, like when Ford was turning into a penguin. That has no significance, it doesnt point how crazy penguins are, its just something funny that happend because of the infinite improbability drive.

musi

04-07-2005, 08:26 PM

i have two pages left in guide to galaxy and i have to prepare for this stupid exam! anyway, tomorrow i'll buy the second book.
bi-pedal ape descendant creatures were great! i am really looking forward to more.. :)

Goldfishies

07-17-2005, 01:06 AM

Can someone tell me the main events in the book? I read it a long time ago, and I've forgotten most of it.

ArthurDent

07-19-2005, 04:58 PM

Can someone tell me the main events in the book? I read it a long time ago, and I've forgotten most of it.

This is both the problem and the beauty of THHGTTG, There are none :) Basically, Arthur Dent (The real one, not me) learns one Thursday that not only has his own house been selected for demolition to allow a new road to be built, but that the whole damn planet was also selected for demolition to allow for a new space hyperpass (Or something...).
He learns this from his friend Ford, who is an alien from a planet in the vicinity of beetleguise (And not from guilford after all).
Ford introduces him to a neat little book (The hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy) and takes him on an intergalactic journy.

From here there are many things happening, like:
A visit to the legendary planet of Magerathea
A visit to the restaurant at the end of the universe
A quick stop at the evil planet of Krikit (Sp?)
and other crazy stuff :)

There are other characters in this story, all goes through a rollercoaster ride accross space and time.

But I think that the bottom line in this book is more about looking at ourselves through the eyes of other being and as a comparison to other beings.

That and the constant search for the ultimate question.'

The answer is of course - 42.

Hope that bring back some fun memories. It sure does to me :)

majestic62

08-24-2005, 08:50 PM

Goldfishies

08-24-2005, 09:02 PM

This is both the problem and the beauty of THHGTTG, There are none Basically, Arthur Dent (The real one, not me) learns one Thursday that not only has his own house been selected for demolition to allow a new road to be built, but that the whole damn planet was also selected for demolition to allow for a new space hyperpass (Or something...).
He learns this from his friend Ford, who is an alien from a planet in the vicinity of beetleguise (And not from guilford after all).
Ford introduces him to a neat little book (The hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy) and takes him on an intergalactic journy.

From here there are many things happening, like:
A visit to the legendary planet of Magerathea
A visit to the restaurant at the end of the universe
A quick stop at the evil planet of Krikit (Sp?)
and other crazy stuff

There are other characters in this story, all goes through a rollercoaster ride accross space and time.

But I think that the bottom line in this book is more about looking at ourselves through the eyes of other being and as a comparison to other beings.

That and the constant search for the ultimate question.'

The answer is of course - 42.

Thanks Arthur! Now I remember some parts of it. I just didn't really get the meaning of the whole story. Some parts of the novel are so bizarre, like the nuclear missiles turning into intelligent, flying whales, and the creation of planets. It was more a spoof than a science fiction novel.

Star_Anise

08-26-2005, 01:12 PM

Thanks Arthur! Now I remember some parts of it. I just didn't really get the meaning of the whole story. Some parts of the novel are so bizarre, like the nuclear missiles turning into intelligent, flying whales, and the creation of planets. It was more a spoof than a science fiction novel.

Anyone who tries to take HHG2G too seriously is going to miss out on all the fun...

Meaning? Who needs more meaning than 42? :P

H. Caulfeild

10-24-2005, 06:22 PM

has anyone read the sequal to it? The Restaurant at the End of the Universe? i'm about halfway through it...

ArthurDent

10-27-2005, 06:54 PM

Oh, When I refer to the guide, I refer to the whole series. So yes, Anyone should enjoy the first 3 books. The 4th and 5th are recommended too, but usualy apeal to the "hard code" fans :)

I recommend anything Adams ever wrote. That goes for the Dirk Gently series as well as the salmon of doubt.

Star_Anise

10-28-2005, 01:11 PM

FreakPower70

10-29-2005, 03:46 PM

I have read the first book, (I own the ultimate hitchhikers guide) the book is halfway across the country at my aunts currently. But its on its way home soon enough, then I will continue to read it.

H. Caulfeild

11-02-2005, 06:43 PM

I recommend anything Adams ever wrote. That goes for the Dirk Gently series as well as the salmon of doubt.
i finished The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul last week, loved it...i can definitely see the Monty Python influence in his writing.

mazarane

11-11-2005, 04:19 PM

I've read all the Hitchhiker's books, and I agree, 4th and 5th only seem to be for hardcore fans. That's no problem, because I quite liked them...[I]Restaurant[I] was really good, probably my favourite after the first.

Arthur, I haven't read the Dirk Gently series yet, although I have been intending to for a while. I will get to it. I enjoyed [I]Last Chance to See[I], too.

I'll have to find 'Last Chance to See' sometime then- in fact he was quoted in 'The Salmon of Doubt' as saying it was the work he was most proud of.

Sometimes I think I enjoy the Dirk Gently books slightly more than the Hitchhiker's books, though I definitely appreciate all of them.

Which were the 4th and 5th? I have real trouble with the chronology....

ArthurDent

11-11-2005, 05:10 PM

Which were the 4th and 5th? I have real trouble with the chronology....

That would be:

4 - So long, and thanks for all the fish
5 - Mostly harmless

mazarane

11-14-2005, 08:09 AM

That would be:

4 - So long, and thanks for all the fish
5 - Mostly harmless

Cheers Arthur :)

I love 'So long, and thanks for all the fish'- it is actually one of my favourite ones. Mostly harmless was pretty good.
I can understand what people have said about the differences though- I think those two books have a slightly sadder, less jolly humour in them.

ArthurDent

11-14-2005, 07:08 PM

Cheers Arthur :)

I can understand what people have said about the differences though- I think those two books have a slightly sadder, less jolly humour in them.

You're welcome.

You're absolutely right. These two were less whacky humor and more "serious" story. I really liked them though, as they give more depth to some of the main characters.

Stargazer

11-15-2005, 12:52 PM

It's like Woody Allen. As he matured he got less funny and more deep. I love the mad grumpiness of the early Adams.

Lauren

02-20-2006, 02:06 PM

Im pretty open minded but i didnt like this at all. it was agony to get through, i never really got absorbed into the story and it really failed to grab my atention. And I think the story line was terribl/boring. I bought the 5-in-1 series(or something like that) but im definitely not reading any of the others. Even saw 20mins or so and didnt feel too compelled to watch more. I guess its just one of those books like Discworld, you either love it or hate it. And I for one dont really like either of them so you judge whether to take my opinion seriously or not

I agree with that, except that I'm obsessed with Discworld. Adams' books were too off-the-wall for my feeble mind to comprehend...they bounced back and forth too much for me to fully understand what was going on.

On the other hand, the movie wasn't bad. Not good, but not bad.

Lauren

02-20-2006, 02:08 PM

Oh, right. Last Chance to see was wonderful... I guess his fiction's just annoying. To me, that is.

mazarane

02-21-2006, 10:59 AM

Oh, right. Last Chance to see was wonderful... I guess his fiction's just annoying. To me, that is.

I really should get around to that one.....

You might find The Salmon of Doubt interesting- it's a mixture of essays and the scraps of books he'd started writing, published posthumously- it sounds like you might well enjoy the former at least. Worth a look if you get a chance.