Froody

I have just finished this absolute gem of a story. I approached this book with a certain amount of trepidation ? how could someone match Douglas Adams unique style and sense of humour. Within minutes all of those worries had evaporated and I was totally captivated. It just kept getting better and better!

Eoin Colfer has done a wonderful job of writing a new story set in Douglas?s original universe ? he populates it with all of the original characters. The main characters (Arthur, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian) make a return, but also many of the ancillary creatures and items get a mention. Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster‎s, the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal and the Triple-Breasted Whore of Eroticon Six, all get a mention - Hitchhiker fans will feel right at home. The guide entries ? which for me, was one of the best parts of the original books, are back; funny, clever and as pun laden as ever. These little guide gems are liberally pepper throughout the book and seem to appear every couple of minutes.

The pace of the narrative is impressive and never seems to drag. The return of one of my favourite characters from the original books (Wowbagger, the grumpy immortal alien whose mission is to insult everyone in the universe) is a real treat and Eoin takes Adams minor character and fleshes him out into a very interesting and comical character as well as being a love interest for one of the original characters. There is also a very interesting weaving of some of the characters from Adams Dirk Gently books into the story, which worked flawlessly and just added to my admiration for Colfers literary skill.

Colfer also introduces his own new character, the wonderfully named Hillman Hunter - a great character in his own right but also as the perfect foil for Zaphod.

In brief a good plot and a great read with many laugh out loud moments! Hitchhiker fans will not be disappointed.

20 people found this helpful

A Very Decent Effort

Like many people I approached this with some trepidation. For me the first three Hitch Hikers Guide books were seminal works of my youth. There's no doubt that the concept deserved to breathe again but it had seemed to me that even the wonderful Douglas Adams was struggling a bit with the last one.

What swayed me to buy it was the involvement of Simon Jones, his portrayal of Arthur was always going to be worth listening to again! And so it proved, hearing Arthur's almost permanently confused voice once more was pure gold and overall he does a very good job of narration.

The book itself and the story? I think it was a fine effort, gloriously silly in true HHG style and Colfer managed to capture the Adams humour nicely. The side notes are humourous just like the guide entries in the original stories but possibly were a bit too frequent for my taste and could have been toned down a little. The further development of the Vogons was a particular highlight for me.

I'm in the category of fans that believes Adams produced an absolute masterpiece with the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy and no-one is going to match it. But I'll admit that master Colfer has made a thoroughly decent job of breathing new life into these characters.

For anyone new to the series I can't imagine starting here would be the best advice . . . I'd strongly suggest going back to read the previous books first and if still enjoying them you'll get much more our of this one.

14 people found this helpful

Lacks Douglas Adams' Wit

Ive tried to listen to this book a number of times but have never managed to finish it. Which is a real shame as i absolutely love Adams' novels,

Unfortunately Colfer is ill equipped to fill Douglas' rather sizable shoes, resulting in more of a confused ramble than the whacky adventure i hoped for.

4 people found this helpful

Almost as if he is still here...

I was sceptical about whether another person could continue where DA left off - well I shouldn't have worried. When one is happy with the concept of parallel universes, black holes, time/dimensional travel - there had to be someone who could describe hypotheses, discuss alternative realities, argue in a spiral, and amuse in full dose - well done Eoin Colfer.

4 people found this helpful

Highly entertaining

Up there with the originals for invention, humour and fairly biting satire on the perennial obsessions of sentient beings; war, religion, money and sex.
A great listen, due in great part to Simon Jones' masterly reading. Lovely to hear the original Arthur Dent, and he gave every other character life and animation with a unique voice. I look forward to the rest of the series.

4 people found this helpful

Almost but not quite entirely unlike Douglas Adams

What made the experience of listening to And Another Thing... the most enjoyable?

Some parts of if was like listening to what Douglas Adams wrote.

Any additional comments?

There were in general too many references to caracters from the other books, like someone trying a bit to hard to live up to the expectations.

7 people found this helpful

A very good homage to Douglas Adams Work

I loved this extension to the H2G2, Simon Jones (Arthur from the original radio and television series) does an excellent job of rendering all of the characters' voices differently enough that the listener can differentiate between them, and actually well enough that they are different characters in their own right (a very hard thing to do) and surprising to me as the only voice I have heard Simon do is 'Arthur'. He used pretty much the same one in Blackadder as Sir Walter Raleigh, but here his range is broad, from the laid back Ford and almost horizontal Zaphod, to the grunting slosh of a Vogon and other numerous characters.

SPOILER Warning: below is an exposition of a plot point of the story, but I think it is important, so there.

My one gripe with the story, however is the beginning; The last book ended with all the characters on Earth II in the nightclub, as Earth is destroyed by the Grebulons. In order that this book not be blank and boring (or even afterlife-y), Eoin gives the characters a breather and they all go about their business and grow old. However, this breather is nothing more than a simulated existence provided by the Guide MkII, where the characters do what they want; Random becomes Galactic President, Trillian becomes a successful correspondent, Ford is at an exceptionally expensive spa, getting drunk every night, but with no hangover the next morning, and Arthur is in a hut on a beach, with tea. However, to me it felt eerily similar to Better Than Life, a simulated existence game in the Red Dwarf franchise, which allows you to live your hearts desires.

Other than that, the book is great and lovely to listen to on long journeys.

7 people found this helpful

A great follow up to the Douglas Adams series.

If you could sum up And Another Thing... in three words, what would they be?

the next best thing to Douglas Adams writing it himself.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ford Prefect. his smarmy attitude and scheming make him a very interesting character.

Which character – as performed by Simon Jones – was your favourite?

Arthur Dent. The original part of Arthur was written for Simon Jones so his performance is spot on perfect.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

the book was as funny as the previous series. it made me feel like i was in a new adventure with the hitchhikers.

Any additional comments?

Would recommend to anyone who enjoyed the original series.

6 people found this helpful

Not quite life, the universe and everythig

As far as this series goes, there's somthng missing... mostly Douglas Adams, it must be said.There's an AWFUL LOT of back references that die-hard fans will pick up on, most of which are enjoyable, and many tie up ends within ends.

Fine narration does not necessarily fill the boots of the full radio drama that went before, but at least it's reassuringly familiar to hear the tones of he original Arthur Dent taking us on to the outer reaches of all possible existences.

If you're a fan of Dent, Prefect, Beeblebastard (ibid), Trillian and Random Frequent Flyer Dent, as well as the likes of Thor, Vogon Geltz and the rest of the decidedly unearthy characters, this may well appeal to you as it did to me.

Enjoyable, and certianly in the spirit of the Adams, I'd recommed to followers (not for the first time dabblers).

6 people found this helpful

I regretfully have to say that I hate this book...

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It's not the writing I hate, Eoin Colfer is obviously a creative, inventive and talented writer. I just HATE this story. This brought nothing to the world of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It took the characters I know and love and put them in a stupid story.

Why the hell were the Norse Gods in this book? Is it because Thor is currently fashionable due to the Marvel movies? I just don't get it.

Perhaps if this story had featured new characters and simply been set in the Hitchhikers universe I would have liked it better.

5 people found this helpful