"The Hitchhiker's Guide" - Book 6

[Nimbus]

I know that a lot of people on The Escapist are Douglas Adams' fans and I have yet to see a topic about the sixth book of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, titled "And Another Thing...", so I thought I should make a thread.

Before people call me a crazy idiot, I know that Douglas Adams is already dead. The book has been written by Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl books, written by permission of Adams' widow. As some of you may know, Adams had originally planned to write a sixth installment to the series, and this is supposed to be it.

I personally have read most of Colfer's books, and I think he may just have the right style and enough ability to pull it off, but I think there is not a lot of room for any mistakes, considering how well-loved the series is.

So, what do people think of this? Would you consider this to be a true end to the series, or some kind of non-canon spin-off, akin to official fanfiction?

Also, for a little extra discussion, we all know much The Hitchhiker's Guide is used as meme-fodder (I'm sure we have all heard a bad "42" joke here and there), so do you think this may give rise to a new wave of related memes, or cause the old ones to resurface?

Oh, and here's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Another_Thing..._(novel)] the wikipedia link if you want more information.

 

[Go Fighting In The War Room]

Wait..... WHY?

I was happy with the five books, by the guy who created them! I don't need a new guy possibly runing an awesome series, with the fallout being a large wave of 42 jokes!

EDIT: Sigh, he diid get permission and Adams was plaaning #6 (I didn't know that), so I hope that he sucseeds in making a worthy sequel.

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

I read the first page before I was thrown out of Waterstones but I liked the familiar tone. Soon as I get ?14 together I'll go buy it.

Spoiler for Book 4

Spoiler

I hope he can bring back Marvin. I miss him. It was a good death but still.

 

[Caliostro]

I've only recently read the books, on my way through the 5th currently and loving every line of it.

Will this one be any good? I don't know... I'll reserve my judgment for when it comes out. Will it accept it? I guess it depends on whether or not it sucks. We'll see.

 

[Mookie_Magnus]

I just hope he makes everything work. If he writes a bad conclusion that doesn't fit, he's going to see a lot of angry fans. Not to mention he'll have to deal with Douglas Adams possibly rising from the grave in a fit of pure spiritual insult.

If he can pull it off, all the literary power in the world to him.

Just a little side-topic for the thread... Which robot did you like more? Colin, or Marvin?

 

[grimsprice]

I'm scared too, because douglas can't be replicated. He writes in such a way that just layers the satire in on so many levels, i doubt Owen will be able to pull it off.

 

[Ajna]

I don't think it's POSSIBLE to make the jokes resurface, as they're omnipresent, and I doubt I'll like it enough to refer to it.

I've read Eoin's stuff, and it's subpar. Worse, when compared to Adams. They just can't pull it off. I'll consider it as unofficial fanfiction. I'll read it, but it will be a borrowed copy, because it's not worth my money, and I'll stubbornly refuse to enjoy a second of it.

 

[Justout]

Well, that really depends, doesn't it? I don't overanalyze literature to see its true value. Douglas Adams made me laugh, and did a good job at it, through a book, nonetheless. While his style and humor are probably possible to recreate, I feel like any new jokes, regardless of how funny, won't quite rise to the same standards as the originals. I think it's partially the fact that it was Adams that made the jokes that allowed them to their positions.

While I don't think it'll be as well recieved, I, personally, will be satisfied at an ending. Of course it'd be better if it was Adams' ending, but I'm perfectly content to settle with somebody elses. I mean, it's better than no ending at all. The end of the 5th book made me feel empty inside.

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

I saw that in WHSmiths the other day, if i ever get round to finishing the first book i shall definitely pick it up.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

...

Like Zaphod, I'm really in 2 minds about this.

For one, Hoorah!
For two, Boo!

I really can't say any more than that.

 

[DoctorWhat]

It was released yesterday. on "the 30th anniversary of the first book"

In an interview, Eoin Colfer stated that Zaphod will only have one head... Now, having read and loved all of Mr Colfer's works, I believe his style perfectly fits in with Mr Adams' (being very formal today, aren't I?) work, but some things scare me... How can Zaphod only have one head??? It's an outrage!

Of course, I haven't read the book itself yet, but I am hopeful. I'll have to get it this weekend.

 

[The_Healer]

It will never live up to what it could have been in Adams hands.
Personally, I think he was onto something.... Heart Attack's at 49 are fairly rare.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

i'm not sure what to say, i don't think it will be as good tho but it could very well be good. i guess only time will tell

 

[Lono Shrugged]

I did read that Adams felt a little bad about ending book 5 on a mind-blowingly depressing note. I'm not sure how I feel about this. No matter how hard they try no one can compare to the master (sorry Yahtzee)

 

[BlindTom]

I fell like nobody will ever replicate Adams. Reading him feels like reading a modern shakespeare or something, I find that Eoin is still an imaginative and highly competent childrens writer though, and even if he doesn't compare to the original books (which he won't.) I feel confident he will produce a high quality work.

 

[reaper660]

I do not believe any author can be fully replaced by another. I really like Eoin Colfer's books, and I hope that he can pull it off.

Also, YES!

 

[heyheysg]

It will never live up to what it could have been in Adams hands.
Personally, I think he was onto something.... Heart Attack's at 49 are fairly rare.

Lol, that explains many things about famous people all over the world. If you get too close to the truth, you win/lose and are booted out of the game