Gone Gonzo Posts: 1285 Joined: 9 Apr 2009 | Opinion on the sixth Hitchhiker's Guide book has been really divided so far. Some have been looking forward to it, citing Adams' desire to write a final book in the trilogy and the fact that Eoin Colfer is writing it as the reasons why; others have been very sceptical because Adams obviously isn't writing it. I fell a little into both camps: I liked Artemis Fowl a lot and thought Colfer was a very good choice, but I still wasn't sure about it because I didn't think anyone would really be able to get the tone of Hitchhiker's right.
And it has to be said: And Another Thing is good. In fact, it's very good. It's clear from early on that Colfer has, in fact, managed to emulate Adams' style very well, and it reads just like you would expect a Hitchhiker's novel to. The typical off-the-wall jokes are there, the nonsensical similes are very much in evidence, and the notes taken from the Guide itself are very entertaining (if a little too frequent at times). It is, as Adams wanted it to be, a much more upbeat book than Mostly Harmless, and, while I did actually like that one a lot, the tone of And Another Thing is much more reminiscent of the first novel, which is obviously no bad thing. There are plenty of references to previous novels, and old characters who reappear, all of which really does make this feel like it's a genuine Hitchhiker's novel, rather than an attempt to milk the franchise.
That being said, it is by no means perfect. One of the bigger problems for me was the pacing. It is easily twice as long as any other of the novels in the trilogy, and the narrative does tend to get a little bogged down in places. Where the previous novels jumped around a lot, with chapters rarely lasting more than a few pages, and the location changing equally often, And Another Thing has much longer chapters, and does spend a lot more time on description than is really necessary. While the feel of the writing is very like the earlier novels, it does seem that, at times, Colfer is trying too hard to replicate Adams' style. Obviously, it would be worse if he made no effort whatsoever, but I do think there was more room for making And Another Thing more of his novel. It should have been written as close to Adams' style as possible, because Hitchhiker's is obviously his franchise, but it does feel like he's trying too hard at times.
My biggest problem, however, is with the ending. I won't go into details because I don't want to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that we do get the more upbeat ending that Adams wanted with the sixth novel. That being said, I actually think the ending of Mostly Harmless worked much better as an ending to the story. The real pity is that if And Another Thing had ended literally three pages earlier, it would have been a perfect ending to the series, and I do not use that word lightly. The actual ending is still a very fitting conclusion to the story, but, for me, the tragedy is that the ending could have been so much better.
That being said, I do still recommend And Another Thing to all Hitchhiker's and Artemis Fowl fans. It is still a very good novel; it carries on and concludes the story very well (if not as well as it could have done), and, more importantly, it really does feel like a true Hitchhiker's novel. While it's obviously still not as good as the originals, it definitely does justice to them.
I just hope, if this one's successful, they they don't decide to do another one. Adams wanted to do six: leave it at six. |
Muckraker Posts: 261 Joined: 23 Jul 2009 | Wow, with the Hitchhikers Guide being one of the only book series that I ever actually read (yeah i know, thats horrible) I think I really need to get my hands on this book. |
Muckraker Posts: 240 Joined: 24 Apr 2009 | Hey thanks man, I was wondering if I should pick up this book or not. I just finished Mostly Harmless last night and I adored the ending, but I might read this once it goes paperback. |
On the Record Posts: 5972 Joined: 5 Sep 2009 | Good review, man. Very informative and helpful.
I doubt I'll ever read this. I love everything Douglas Adams ever wrote, and I've always liked the Artemis Fowl series, but I agree that the ending of Mostly Harmless was perfect for the series, and I think that the series should have been just left the way it was, despite his wishes for a sixth. |
On the Record Posts: 6302 Joined: 11 Mar 2009 | Hmm, I am wary of this. I mean it could be good, and by all accounts I've heard it seems to be at worst acceptable, but still... do I want the Hitchhiker's Guide that I know to be changed.
Perhaps... perhaps not. I suppose I'll wait until it hits paperback and then pick it up, a hardcover of this just seems contrary.
Good review, as well. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1285 Joined: 9 Apr 2009 | Last of the Chinchillas:
Good review, man. Very informative and helpful.
WanderFreak:
Good review, as well.
Thanks. This is only the second review I've posted on this site, and I didn't get much feedback from the first one. It's nice to know I'm doing a good job, since I'm hoping to start writing reviews a lot more frequently.
By the way, sorry for the very late reply to your comments. I've been away for the last week, and I just wanted to get the review up before I left. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1065 Joined: 26 Jun 2008 | It's out? How did I miss it? You'd think there would be at least some article in some paper somewhere? O.o
Oh well, now I know ^^
I loved Artemis Fowl when I was younger and HHGTTG is probably my favorite book of all times so I'll most likely check it out when I feel like reading... sadly that may not be too soon :-/ |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1280 Joined: 13 Nov 2007 | Relieved I'm not the only one who didn't even know it was out yet. Thanks for the heads-up. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 3426 Joined: 15 Jan 2009 | I may pick it up, but the First 3 books were good, but 4 and 5 were a little over the place. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 2382 Joined: 10 Nov 2008 | Anachronism:
The real pity is that if And Another Thing had ended literally three pages earlier, it would have been a perfect ending to the series, and I do not use that word lightly.
Which part are you referring to? I finished the book, but couldn't see where you think he should have stopped.
PM me if you'd rather not post it here in spoiler tags. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1518 Joined: 2 Sep 2009 | Personally, I LOVED and another thing. Colfer really seemed to be channelling Douglas Adams when he wrote it...
...although he did lack Adams' subtlty with the humour. With Adams, you knew the jokes were there, but they still hit you like a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick. With Colfer, you knew that a joke was coming, and it didn't quiet have the same effect.
As OP says, it's not Adams, but it never was going to be, so I'm happy it turned out the way it did and I'm quiet happy to say its part of the trilogy, and not just say "Here's Adams' five, and that other one by colfer."
Very nice review by the way, much more informative than some of the others i've read. You have spared us from Edamnation. |
Infamous Scribbler Posts: 507 Joined: 10 Jul 2009 | I had no idea this book was even in development until i walked into the store last week and saw it on the shelf..
I'll try to pick it up from my local library once they get it in. I admit i'm curious. |
Infamous Scribbler Posts: 545 Joined: 24 Jul 2008 | Now I know what I will make someone give me as a birthday present... |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1285 Joined: 9 Apr 2009 | RossyB:
Very nice review by the way
Thanks a lot. Like I said in an earlier post, I'm hoping to start writing reviews more often, so it's good to know I'm doing something right.
scnj:
Which part are you referring to? I finished the book, but couldn't see where you think he should have stopped.
|
Opinion on the sixth Hitchhiker's Guide book has been really divided so far. Some have been looking forward to it, citing Adams' desire to write a final book in the trilogy and the fact that Eoin Colfer is writing it as the reasons why; others have been very sceptical because Adams obviously isn't writing it. I fell a little into both camps: I liked Artemis Fowl a lot and thought Colfer was a very good choice, but I still wasn't sure about it because I didn't think anyone would really be able to get the tone of Hitchhiker's right.
And it has to be said: And Another Thing is good. In fact, it's very good. It's clear from early on that Colfer has, in fact, managed to emulate Adams' style very well, and it reads just like you would expect a Hitchhiker's novel to. The typical off-the-wall jokes are there, the nonsensical similes are very much in evidence, and the notes taken from the Guide itself are very entertaining (if a little too frequent at times). It is, as Adams wanted it to be, a much more upbeat book than Mostly Harmless, and, while I did actually like that one a lot, the tone of And Another Thing is much more reminiscent of the first novel, which is obviously no bad thing. There are plenty of references to previous novels, and old characters who reappear, all of which really does make this feel like it's a genuine Hitchhiker's novel, rather than an attempt to milk the franchise.
That being said, it is by no means perfect. One of the bigger problems for me was the pacing. It is easily twice as long as any other of the novels in the trilogy, and the narrative does tend to get a little bogged down in places. Where the previous novels jumped around a lot, with chapters rarely lasting more than a few pages, and the location changing equally often, And Another Thing has much longer chapters, and does spend a lot more time on description than is really necessary. While the feel of the writing is very like the earlier novels, it does seem that, at times, Colfer is trying too hard to replicate Adams' style. Obviously, it would be worse if he made no effort whatsoever, but I do think there was more room for making And Another Thing more of his novel. It should have been written as close to Adams' style as possible, because Hitchhiker's is obviously his franchise, but it does feel like he's trying too hard at times.
My biggest problem, however, is with the ending. I won't go into details because I don't want to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that we do get the more upbeat ending that Adams wanted with the sixth novel. That being said, I actually think the ending of Mostly Harmless worked much better as an ending to the story. The real pity is that if And Another Thing had ended literally three pages earlier, it would have been a perfect ending to the series, and I do not use that word lightly. The actual ending is still a very fitting conclusion to the story, but, for me, the tragedy is that the ending could have been so much better.
That being said, I do still recommend And Another Thing to all Hitchhiker's and Artemis Fowl fans. It is still a very good novel; it carries on and concludes the story very well (if not as well as it could have done), and, more importantly, it really does feel like a true Hitchhiker's novel. While it's obviously still not as good as the originals, it definitely does justice to them.
I just hope, if this one's successful, they they don't decide to do another one. Adams wanted to do six: leave it at six.