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jessi_lou95'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, and Suicide
riverofhorton's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This isn't my first time reading this, however it has been over a decade since I last read it. I had managed to forget a lot of the finer points of the story in that time, so to a certain extent it felt like reading a book that I had previously only read a summary of.
It was as enjoyable as I remember it being, with Adams having the ability to encapsulate the British sense of humour perfectly, while maintaining the level of seriousness required at various points.
The only thing I had a problem with was the descriptions of Marvin, with 'Manic Depression' and 'Paranoid' being used interchangeably, implying they are the same disorder, which is wholly inaccurate. I do, however, feel that this is more indicative of the time this was published. Thankfully this doesn't affect the plot in anyway.
Overall this was an enjoyable read and I will be reading the rest of this trilogy and likely some of the author's other work.
It was as enjoyable as I remember it being, with Adams having the ability to encapsulate the British sense of humour perfectly, while maintaining the level of seriousness required at various points.
The only thing I had a problem with was the descriptions of Marvin, with 'Manic Depression' and 'Paranoid' being used interchangeably, implying they are the same disorder, which is wholly inaccurate. I do, however, feel that this is more indicative of the time this was published. Thankfully this doesn't affect the plot in anyway.
Overall this was an enjoyable read and I will be reading the rest of this trilogy and likely some of the author's other work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
cursed10fold's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
Minor: Genocide, Sexism, Police brutality, and War
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I can’t believe I haven’t picked this up before. Just a fun, nonsensical, good time. Think Terry Pratchett does sci-fi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Genocide and War
bessadams's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Genocide, Suicide, and War
halflingnana's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.75
A very fun and funny exploration of life, the universe and everything.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
Deals with existential questions with hilariousverpissdich's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Light hearted and very fantastical. The main appeal is the frivolity with which it is written, which borders at times on excessive but treads the line skillfully.
I like the paranoid android. Plot uses extreme coincidence as a plot mechanism in itself, which is quite clever and allows for a believable and highly improbable storyline.
It is clear the author either truly does not take themselves seriously, or makes a very concerted effort to appear as though they don't care too much. However, the prose is not dumbed down.
The book is too short to fully develop the characters, possibly due to the original format being a radio show. But readers probably aren't intended to fully understand all the characters anyways, it's meant for entertainment.
Overall a good, light, whimsical read with decent prose and clever storyline mechanisms.
I like the paranoid android. Plot uses extreme coincidence as a plot mechanism in itself, which is quite clever and allows for a believable and highly improbable storyline.
It is clear the author either truly does not take themselves seriously, or makes a very concerted effort to appear as though they don't care too much. However, the prose is not dumbed down.
The book is too short to fully develop the characters, possibly due to the original format being a radio show. But readers probably aren't intended to fully understand all the characters anyways, it's meant for entertainment.
Overall a good, light, whimsical read with decent prose and clever storyline mechanisms.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Mental illness
Minor: Suicide
chelseazhao's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, but I will say that if I hadn’t watched and loved the movie (many many times) I would probably be a bit more confused as to what was going on.
I really do like the satire and commentary that this book has going for it. And there were quite a few times that I laughed out loud at the comedy.
But sometimes it gets so far removed from real life that I can’t wrap my head around what is actually written on the page. I feel like this would be a great book to read as an audiobook.
I really do like the satire and commentary that this book has going for it. And there were quite a few times that I laughed out loud at the comedy.
But sometimes it gets so far removed from real life that I can’t wrap my head around what is actually written on the page. I feel like this would be a great book to read as an audiobook.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Suicide
elkila's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
maddie_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is my favourite book of all time. I can't remember the first time I read it , but it was over 10 years ago. Just re-reading it again in January 2024. Douglas Adams has such a unique, creative voice and this book is so fun to read. I've read books trying to emulate this style and there is just no comparison. I could see how this book might not be for some readers, because Adams has a very distinctive, quirky and weird writing style and a lot of the book is really "out there" but those are all the reasons I absolutely love this book. There is a plot, an interesting set of characters, tons of tangents, and lots of fantastic examinations into modern society. Some of the references might go over your head because its almost 50 years old and its very British, but there's enough it the book that it doesn't matter if you miss some things. It's so sad the author died when he was only 49, I believe we missed out on so many wonderful and wacky stories when we lost such a creative mind. Rest in peace Douglas Adams, and thanks for all the fish !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, and War
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