The Ultimate Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy (Spoilers!)

[Shingetsu]

I just finished The Ultimate Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Which includes all five books and a short story called "Young Zaphod Plays it Safe." I really enjoyed books 1-4. At first I wasn't sure if I would like book four or not since it's not the usual goofy adventures across the galaxy and time trying to do something or other. But it actually turned out pretty good with the new character Fenchurch added and Arthur falling in love with her. Ford was in it quite a bit as well. Marvin dies at the end, which I didn't think much of at the time because I figured they'd just repair him in book five and he'd say something really funny.

Book five was of course my least favorite. I didn't hate it, but I didn't care for what Adams did with it. I really liked Fenchurch and he just gets rid of her suddenly and Arthur doesn't even try and get her back which would probably have been easy with the things that happen in these books. Then there is no Zaphod or Marvin. No wacky adventures on the ship Heart of Gold as usual. Then Arthur suddenly has a daughter, which I thought was kind of cool, but we didn't really get to know her and didn't really like her either.

After finishing book four and reading the back of the book for book five and seeing it said Arthur had a daughter, I thought, "Cool, Fenchurch and Arthur must have a kid. That should be interesting." You can see I was quite a bit dissapointed that wasn't the case. Then the ending of the book wasn't all that exciting either.

Still, I loved the characters and adventures they went on and enjoyed the books. I wish Douglas Adams was still alive to write more of them. I plan to read his Dirk Gently books eventually as well.

 

[Urlik]

I found books 3, 4 and 5 to be my least favourites of the trilogy but I also enjoyed them far more when I reread them and I could really take the time to enjoy the story without trying to read as fast as possible to see what happened next

I think you will enjoy the Dirk Gently books, based on your preference for the earlier HHGttG books

 

[gully_foyle]

I pretty much agree with Shingetsu. There was something nice about Arthur falling in love in book 4 and things working out for him, for a change. I didn't really like 5 either, especially for the reasons Shingetsu outlined, mostly that continuity from book 4 seemed to be totally ignored.

 

[HoopyFrood]

I'm pretty sure that Douglas Adams didn't really want to write the fifth book, Mostly Harmless, which is probably why it has a different 'feel', as it were, to it. I can't believe a sixth one is being written, as well. I have to say, of all the final endings in any book, I think the ending to the fifth one was one of the most final final endings you could get...

It's been a while since I've read through them all, but I distinctly remember hating Random (great name, though). She was very annoying.

Fenchurch was an interesting addition and it was nice to see things going right for Arthur for a change (which is why, although I do really like the film version of the first book, I just can't accept Arthur and Trillian getting together at the end. But it had to be done in that context, I guess...blergh). I especially liked the flying bit. I once told my friend that it was possible for people to fly, by missing the ground, but because it's so difficult to achieve it, that's why hardly anyone can do it. I'm pretty sure part of her believed me.

I think the first book, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, is the best for most people. Adam's plots can be a little sprawling and all over the place at times, as if he's more concerned about what would be comedic rather than anything else, but he just continually comes out with some real gems throughout the entire trilogy of five parts. I, as a Hoopy Frood, love it all, anyway.

 

[Shingetsu]

At least now I know what your name means HoopyFrood! For the first three books I was kind of hoping Trillian and Arthur might get together. Then after book four I was hoping maybe with time Zaphod would change a bit for things to work out nicely with Trillian.

And holy crap, I completely forgot awhile ago I read that Eoin Colfer was going to write book six of the series. Now I have something to look forward to. Awesome! The question is, how will Eoin Colfer do writing the next book? I know my Mom enjoyed his Artemis Fowl books at least (even though they are childrens books).

Edit:
Also another question. Will this be a sixth and final book to end things on a happy note? Or depending on how well the book does will their be more books by Colfer after the sixth? Because not only do I want Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, Trillian, and Marvin back on the Heart of Gold on wacky adventures, at some point I definitly want Fenchurch brought back for Arthur (preferably permanently also).

 

[HoopyFrood]

Yes, I am an awesomely together gal, me.

I haven't personally heard much about the sixth book and what's going on in it. I don't think I really want to. I admire Colfer and I really enjoyed (and still do) the Artemis Fowl books. But Adams he ain't. Neither is anyone else. It won't have that...Adams-y feel.

I don't think I could imagine Zaphod being with anyone, really. The fact that he has two heads just highlights that the only person that he wants in his life is his himself.

 

[Shingetsu]

Yeah, I don't think I could really see Zaphod with anyone either. As for Colfer replacing Adams, I never expected or thought that he would. Or that anyone would. But I do hope that the sixth book will be funny and good.

 

[Rodders]

Same here. I see no reason why the story cannot continue.

 

[MontyCircus]

Loved the first book. Had to force myself to finish the second. Liked the third. Had to force myself to finish the series after that.

The first book was fun and fresh. It was an exciting adventure. And hilarious.

The second book started to seem repetitive to me with the little social tidbits: "The strange thing about the people from (insert name of planet with lots of X's and Z's here), is that instead of (insert annoying human trait here), they (insert wacky alien trait here)."

Page after page of that got quite grating. Especially because all the adventuring had taken a backseat to that stuff. The Unpredictability drive became too predictable for me. Any bad, hopeless situation (which was thrilling in the first book), became a bore.

It's like I could hear Adams saying "Haha! See? They were saved at the last second by the unpredictability drive! Again! Isn't that just...so...cute! ha ha ha ha ha."

So I thought the whole 2nd book was pretty much awful.

3rd book, hey it had an honest to goodness adventure. So that was nice. I later read that it was ripped from an old Dr. Who plot...which might be why I liked it. At least Adams must have realized he'd written book 2 on fumes and had nothing left.

The last two books I didn't like either. Stupid flying. Just everything repeating. The gang almost never together like in the first book. At one point Adams even joked in the book, something to the effect of "just hang tough readers...Marvin the Android will appear in a few more chapters." That was funny...and a bit sad. Really the only thing Adams had left was pitiful nostalgic references to the original book, like when (I think in the last book), when Arthur returns to Earth and takes the babelfish out of his ear. Then you get this rush of excitement "Oh! Babelfish! Yeah I remember how cool and interesting they were...4 books ago." It's kind of how Lucas kept 3PO and R2 around in the prequels to keep the hardcore fans awake. "Oh your attention is waning, but wait, here's 3PO and R2! You guys love these famous characters right? Okay, I'll just have them hang around in the background..."

It's just not enough.

But I have to say...the end to the 5th book, the last 2 or 3 pages...it was HILARIOUS. It really made my day...and almost made wading through the series worthwhile. Which makes the new 6th book seem like an even worse idea than on its face. It takes the best part of any of the last 4 books and destroys even that.

Oh well, I guess I should try and sell off this Ultimate Hitchhiker hardcover and get a slimmer volume of the one book I'd ever bother reading again or recommending. That one is a classic. Too bad Beeblebrox ruined the movie adaptation (which I liked but should have been great).

 

[Shingetsu]

I suppose everyone has different opinions on the book. And yours seems to be not favoring the books. Douglas Adams did use to write for Doctor Who also. I enjoyed the series overall. But it was book one, two, and four that were the most enjoyable to me. Maybe book six will end up being a good one for you MontyCircus. I definitly can't wait for its release.

 

[Rodders]

I've only ever read the omnibus edition, so, somewhat simplisticly, i only ever see it as one big book.

There's always going to be strengths and weaknesses in everything.

 

[Connavar]

The first book is the only book i have read who was so funny that i laughed so hard everyday on the train to school that people stared at me.

The other books was good but not great and the last one was wierd, a bit of a let-down.

Although i like the brave ending leaving no room for more sequels.

 

[AE35Unit]

I've only ever read the omnibus edition, so, somewhat simplisticly, i only ever see it as one big book.

There's always going to be strengths and weaknesses in everything.

Yea I hav the omnibus edition too,a birthday gift from my brother years ago. I too see it as one big book(when I moved in with my other half I discovered she had the individual books on her shelf)

 

[Shingetsu]

Hmm, I think I still see the books as separate even though mine was the omnibus version as well. Must be the pages telling you the title of the next book in big letters that does it.

 

[MontyCircus]

I suppose everyone has different opinions on the book. And yours seems to be not favoring the books. Douglas Adams did use to write for Doctor Who also. I enjoyed the series overall. But it was book one, two, and four that were the most enjoyable to me. Maybe book six will end up being a good one for you MontyCircus. I definitly can't wait for its release.

I just read Dune and didn't like that either, so I'm not a stranger to wacky opinions.

I really don't think I'll bother with the new one. There's too many books out there and I read much too slowly. If I miss the characters I'll just read the first one again.

Although i like the brave ending leaving no room for more sequels.

Love the ending. Wonderful, out of the blue satisfaction

 

[AE35Unit]

I just read Dune and didn't like that either, so I'm not a stranger to wacky opinions.

Oh and I thought I was the only one that didn't get that book. Suddenly i'm no longer alone•••