One Bear's Opinion -- Book Review

Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams

This was another book we read aloud as part of Story-time.  My housemate has been reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series for his contribution to Story-time.  It makes an interesting juxtaposition to the books my other housemate chooses.

I have never really been a fan of science fiction, whether true science fiction or fantasy.  But I do enjoy Douglas Adams' books.  I doubt I would have ever picked them up on my own, but they are great for sharing.  This is the continuation of the story begun in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, though it can stand alone if you have not read, or do not care to read the others in the series.  I think it is better to read the entire series, but then I find that with almost everything.  And as with all series, some of the books are better than others.

I find Douglas Adams' style very similar to Jasper Fforde's style, though in all honesty, it should be the other way around.  I was introduced to Jasper Fforde before Douglas Adams, so I think of the influence in the reverse order.  I find that Adams' suffers from the same problem Fforde does, in that many of the names of places, people and things were not necessarily envisioned to be read aloud.  I also find that illustrations would be helpful in some cases, or at the very least a map of the galaxy as Adams imagined it printed on the end papers of the book.  I found myself wondering what the places looked like in the author's mind, and got a bit lost with all the zipping about here, there, and everywhere.  But then, I find that illustrations are almost never unwelcome.

I like Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect and would enjoy having them over to dinner, but in the middle of this book, I begin to wonder if their life will ever settle down to a simple routine again.  I became quite nervous and impatient for Arthur who just seems to me to want to scream at anyone in control "Stop the World, I want to get off!"  But poor Arthur just gets drawn up into another inexplicable and too farfetched to be believed adventure.  This was a fun adventure, but it seemed trying for Arthur nonetheless.   I wonder if the end of the series will bring some peace for Arthur, or will he continue to be drug on one crazy adventure after another? (If you know, please do not tell me, I'd like to find out for myself.)

I have enjoyed the series, and would say if you have to read science fiction books, these are great ones to read.  They don't get too bogged down in the reality of space travel or the science involved.  They make sense in the world the they have established, and everything is fine.  They are fun reads, and great for sharing.  The series will not make me a convert to science fiction and I doubt I will re-read any of the series on my own, but I am glad my housemate shared them with us.

One Bear's Opinion:  Four Cups of Cocoa with Marshmallows

Happy Reading Everyone, 
Oliver