Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams > Reviews

Advantages: Funny and witty novel from the late Douglas Adams
Disadvantages: Doesn't live up to expectations, seems incomplete

Douglas Adams' Hitch-Hiker's Guide 'trilogy' entertained and inspired me, and I was wary to read this final instalment due to reviews on the internet which suggested it was of poor quality and may hunder my enjoyment of the series. The fifth and final book chronicling the experiences of Arthur Dent and his less human comrades does seem much less original and enjoyable than the previous books, and although this was my opinion of the fourth book "So ... Read review

Advantages: Its a hitchhiker book
Disadvantages: but its the worst in the series

...block can be seen in Mostly Harmless the 5th book in the trilogy. Mostly Harmless as well as being the title of the book seems to be his attitude whilst writing the book. It has a feeling of being written at a publisher’s request whilst Adams looks as if he is using it as a way to end the series for good – probably why book 6 was proving so hard. The plot ignores the previous book – So Long and Thanks for all the Fish (the best ... Read review

Advantages: Well written and funny
Disadvantages: The idea is wearing a bit thin

"Mostly Harmless" is the last book (so far) in the "Hitch-Hiker's" sequence, and is easily the best. By taking time off to write the Dirk Gently novels, where he wasn't burdened with the accompanying baggage from his previous books, Adams had finally learnt how to put a story together coherently, and the result is the best book from the series. Adams takes his plot from one episode in the previous books, and brings it to a sensible conclusion. In ... Read review

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 ... Read review

Advantages: Usual excellent wit and humour
Disadvantages: Bad Conclusion

In my opinion this book should not exsist, the last book finishes the story off quite well with a few lose strings but not enough to anoy. This book ties everything up (like the place arthur will visit before he dies) but has an ending that just makes you want to scream. It has all of Adams usually wit and humour and countless new ideas until the last chapter but you get the feeling that he wants to get rid of the characters in a way that they can ... Read review