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A review by rymrgard
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
2.0
Once again a difficult book to rate since its cultural impact far exceeds its mere literary quality (even though that’s definitely not bad either).
I wonder how I would have experienced and judged my enjoyment of this book had I been able to read it when it was originally released and Deep Thought, 42, Don‘t Panic and the Towel were new and not reduced to the I understood that reference - Meme.
Alas, I read it now, and the good bits are wildly known through cultural osmosis — even to those not even remotely interested in SF (or British humour). And while the good bits are still good bits, I can‘t help but feel the rest feels more like filler to me, swinging from one catchy quote to the other.
I should mention that humourous tales are always very hit and miss for me — blame it on me being very stereotypically German. But, if any country‘s humour can make me chuckle, it‘s the British one. Out of the holy trinity of British humour — Adams, Pratchett and Monty Python— Monty Python will remain my favourite; however, I don‘t detest any of them — and that‘s saying a lot.
Similarly to Pratchett, I feel like Adams slightly overstays his welcome, even though his novels are thankfully shorter than many of Pratchett‘s. So, while I will continue with the series for at least the second volume — as I know many people who like it even more than the first — I will take a break from it for now, lest I grow annoyed or impatient.
Last but not least: RIP Spermwhale. You didn‘t deserve your fate.
_____________
2.5 stars
Edit: Coincidentally, this marks the 42nd scifi book on my scifi shelf. Now, isn‘t that a coincidence.
I wonder how I would have experienced and judged my enjoyment of this book had I been able to read it when it was originally released and Deep Thought, 42, Don‘t Panic and the Towel were new and not reduced to the I understood that reference - Meme.
Alas, I read it now, and the good bits are wildly known through cultural osmosis — even to those not even remotely interested in SF (or British humour). And while the good bits are still good bits, I can‘t help but feel the rest feels more like filler to me, swinging from one catchy quote to the other.
I should mention that humourous tales are always very hit and miss for me — blame it on me being very stereotypically German. But, if any country‘s humour can make me chuckle, it‘s the British one. Out of the holy trinity of British humour — Adams, Pratchett and Monty Python— Monty Python will remain my favourite; however, I don‘t detest any of them — and that‘s saying a lot.
Similarly to Pratchett, I feel like Adams slightly overstays his welcome, even though his novels are thankfully shorter than many of Pratchett‘s. So, while I will continue with the series for at least the second volume — as I know many people who like it even more than the first — I will take a break from it for now, lest I grow annoyed or impatient.
Last but not least: RIP Spermwhale. You didn‘t deserve your fate.
As Ford gazed at the spectacle of light before them excitement burnt inside him, but only the excitement of seeing a strange new planet, it was enough for him to see it as it was. It faintly irritated him that Zaphod had to impose some ludicrous fantasy on the scene to make it work for him. […] Isn‘t it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?
_____________
2.5 stars
Edit: Coincidentally, this marks the 42nd scifi book on my scifi shelf. Now, isn‘t that a coincidence.