Arthur Adams

Advantages: Fantastically funny..its Douglas Adams
Disadvantages: Conclusion was not up to usual standards

...This is, after all, a Douglas Adams. It is characterised by Adams' usual, dry wit and outlandish characters and situations, but not, I believe, one of his best. As a continuation of The Hitchhikers Trilogy in four parts, this book reads much like the rest of the series. Do not misunderstand me, i do not see this as a bad thing! Essentially this book can be summarised by Arthur et al's continuing exploration of the universe. I feel the ending is slightly lacking when all characters are killed off in a rushed attempt to sever an end to the story. A shame really. On the other hand, stylistically all five books are much the same and by this point, the humour is becoming a little thin, although still funny. Typically for Adams, the plot is predictably unpredicatble (i wont give it all away!) although the very ending seems a little rushed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: The book is written beautifully
Disadvantages: There is some very random references which some reders might not appriciate.

...Douglas Adams first offering in the "trilogy of four" is an amazing insight into the crazy world of his head. When I first picked up the book it seemed dull on first sight but past the cover and the reader is literally transported into another world- or galaxy. The book describes the journies of Arthur Dent, a lovable Earth man who soon learns that the earth is not alone in the universe. One morning Arthur wakes up with a headache and a hangover, only to learn that his house is about to be demolished, his best friend is an alien and that the Earth is about to be destroyed in place for a new intergalactic highway. Arthur travels abord the Vogon ship heading for outer space, and that is where his real adventures begin. Without a doubt this is some of Adams most amazing work, and his random quirky sense of humour never failed to amaze... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...There cannot be many books funnier than the Hitch Hikers guide to the galaxy. The book is the first part of a trilogy of 4 or is that 5! It starts out with Arthur Dent who ends up being saved from death by his friend from Betelgeuse(although he did not know his friend was an alien at the time). Arthur survived but the Earth did not because it was demolished to make way for a sort of cosmic bypass. The story then follows Arthur Dent as he travels the Universe looking for the meaning of life and even makes an ultimately futile attempt to save the Earth by going back in time and trying to help Mankinds evolution along a little. This book and the ones that follow have many hilarious moments and also a bit of philosophy and should be required reading by law!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful