Rating: 
Summary: For those who have read him, and those who have not.
Review: There is a particularly English (ie the Country as opposed to the language) method of writing that, even as it describes sci fi, fantasy or simply The Bizarre World in general, cannot help but conjure images of village greens, stately homes, cups of tea, and cricket matches; PG Wodehouse, Michael Palin, Terry Pratchett and Evelyn Waugh are all exponents of this art, but Douglas Adams was one of my favourite, if not most prolific, authors in this style. His sad death last year has provided his publisher with an excuse to publish this, final, collection of his work.
And quite a mixture it is; here are prologues to books, introductions to events, eclectic newspaper and magazine articles, short stories and one unfinished novel, the work in progress known as 'The Salmon of Doubt', a Dirk Gently book. Would he have approved this book? Well, given that he was willing to pen an introduction to PG Wodehouse's unfinished 'Sunset at Blandings', the evidence very much points (at least, in my mind) to the fact that he would.
Even as an introduction to his work, this book is worth a read - it opens with a biographical portrait and the selection of material covers most of his written life. For Adams enthusiasts, the book is goldmine - perhaps not the mother lode, but certainly a mine containing enough nuggets to make you happy with the purchase.
One point - it is not really 'hitching the galaxy for one last time' as implied on the cover; there is only a short Hitch Hikers story here, and it has appeared elsewhere.
However, to summarise: if you've never read Adams before, this will leave you seeking more. If you already know him, this an affectionate if varied romp through his literary history.
Rating: 
Summary: So long Douglas and thanks for all the laughs!
Review: I purchased Douglas Adams' posthumous book exactly one year and one day after his extremely untimely passing. I have always thought that there is something inherently wrong about losing one's idols. "Salmon of Doubt" is a prime example of how wrong it truly is. "Salmon of Doubt" is so absolutely and quite wonderfully Douglas. This collection of articles, interviews, random thoughts and unfinished novel is an genuine treat to read. His unmistakable voice shines through on each and every page. For someone who professed to agonize over the whole "writing thing", Douglas did it with a style that is often imitated, yet never will be duplicated. I was delighted to see "Cookies" make its way into this collection. I laughed when he included in the 4th Hitchhiker's novel, and was fortunate enough to hear him retelling this true story. He had everyone at this Chicago hotel bar in absolute hysterics some years ago, reliving the moment. I have never forgotten it. "Maggie and Trudie" also stands out as one of my other favorite entries here. As does "The Private Life of Genghis Khan". The interviews included also give a further glimpse into this marvelously gifted man. There is no doubt in my mind that the ever-so brief "Salmon of Doubt" story/novel itself would have been a joy to read had he been around to finish it. It would have worked perfectly well as the next Dirk Gently (or possible 6th HH) novel. I found myself reading this portion quickly, watching the pages dwindle and knowing it was going to abruptly end. It did. Now I'm left wondering what happened to Dirk and Desmond the rhinoceros. It's going to bug me till the end of time. Which I am sure would thrill Douglas to no end. I'll have to ask Douglas when I see him at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe how it all ends.
Rating:
Summary: Doubtlessly entertaining...
Review: It's fitting that this audio edition contains guests and narrators like Stephen Fry, Richard Dawkins, Terry Gilliam, et. al. In addition to helping bring this wonderful collection of Adam's work to life, they bring an additional sense of connection to the man behind (within?) the words. Some fans of Adams fiction may not like the extensive nonfiction pieces included, but those people will miss out on some of the best gems of Adams' wit and wisdom. Most others, though, will realize that there is a vast archive of columns and articles, letters and speeches, (many published outside the U.S.) that we have missed. In all of the pieces, nonfiction and fiction, Adams' crisp humor and prodding logic will make you giggle, laugh, and most of all, wonder at this gloriously silly thing we call life. Listen to this many times... and don't forget your towel.
Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet ending to an amazing career
Review: The first two-thirds of "The Salmon of Doubt", as assembled by Douglas Adams' editor, consists of essays, lectures, magazine articles, and other short pieces written by Adams. It is an interesting glimpse into his mind, his work habits, his love of computers and gadgets, and his views on religion, atheism, and evolution. As an added bonus, the last third of the book contains the first eleven chapters of what was meant to be Adams' new Dirk Gently novel (although he tantalizingly hinted in interviews that he might turn it into a sixth "Hitchhiker's" book), also named "The Salmon of Doubt." The essay/article portion of the book, while interesting, does have an unavoidably hodgepodge feel to it. Most of this material will be familiar to diehard Douglas Adams fans (in fact, much of it has already been printed elsewhere - little here is new material), but it is nice to have it all gathered together in one place. Unfortunately, no index or table of contents is provided, so finding a particular piece is rather challenging. The portion of the book actually devoted to "The Salmon of Doubt" is very intriguing. As the editor notes, the eleven chapters are stitched together from three separate "versions" of the novel that Adams was working on at the time of his death. As a result, some of the chapter transitions are very choppy (and of course the story sputters out without a proper ending, although this does seem vaguely appropriate for a Dirk Gently novel). However, I found chapters two through seven of the book to be very engaging; a bit rough, certainly, but this was shaping up to be a great Dirk Gently novel. It was with sadness that I reached the end of this story and realized that there would be no ending, and further, no other novels from Douglas Adams. I don't fault the editor for assembling the story the way he's chosen to, as an amalgam of three different manuscripts - I'm sure this would have been his suggestion even if Adams were still alive. Still, I would love to see a completely "unedited" version of the novel, i.e., one that includes all three working versions; I think that would be fascinating to read. It's certainly a tease to know that certain parts of the different versions were skipped over in assembling this edition. Having said that, I still do think this book is a must-own if you're a fan of Douglas Adams and his work, due to the inclusion of the unfinished novel. However, when reading "The Salmon of Doubt", you must be prepared to read an unpolished, unfinished story; if you're able to read it in this frame of mind, it's actually very rewarding.
Rating:
Summary: We'll miss you, DNA!
Review: "The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time" is a collection of various articles, speeches, short stories, interviews, and an unfinished novel-in-progress that were recovered after Adams' untimely death last spring.
Although at a couple of times I almost felt guilty for reading it, as if I were invading Douglas' privacy (most of the contents were, after all, obtained by hacking into his Macintosh computer), the writing therein is almost all as entertaining as his novel works - insights on his Macintosh & Psion handheld, his electrician, why Americans can't make a decent cup of tea, his views on God, or the lack thereof, and many other such short articles are present along with several interviews that I hadn't previously known about that gave a few small glipses into how he was dealing with life in general, a couple of short stories (which had been previously printed in other collections of his books), and what there is of "The Salmon of Doubt," the Dirk Gently book he had been toying with over about the last decade (and, although there isn't much to it, was much more entertaining to read than his other Dirk Gently works).
Overall the book is a wonderful memorial to an author who was, in my opinion, one of the best of our time.
Definately a must-have purchase for any Douglas Adams fan.
Rating:
Summary: A Worthly Posthumous Collection----
Review: My experience in reading various collections of "uncollected" works is not good. Almost every time, I've discovered, the author had a very good reason for not "collecting" the ragged bits, and those publishers knew their business when they decided that the unpublished selections in question should stay "unpublished." But Don't Panic--as they say where Mr. Adams comes from--The Salmon of Doubt is the exception that proves the rule. I had seen Mr. Adams's "Hitchhiker's" books for several years, and always wondered about them. Still, I had not read any of them--until the word came down that he had suddenly died, and died at a young age. Somehow, I sensed this was a terrible loss, and bought the "Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide" to see if my sense was right. It was. Douglas Adams wrote the books that I wanted to have written. The language is fun, interesting, and the characters wonderful. And they are funny. The selections in "Salmon of Doubt" also reflect this same spirit. In one selection, Adams is explaining how he was listening to Procul Harem's "Grand Hotel." At one point in the song, there is a pause--and then the music really takes off. Adams was thinking how something really special, really fantastic needed to happen at that moment--something like the end of the universe. And out of that thought was born "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe." In this book, you'll travel to Kenya with Adams--and see what it is like to climb a mountain wearing a huge rhino costume. You'll also find why Adams loved P.G. Woodehouse--which inspired me to read Woodehouse (Adams, of course, is right). Ride along with Adams's perhaps futile efforts to get up close and personal with giant manta rays off Austrailia. Finally, you will really get a sense of what it was like to be Douglas Adams--including his insecurities, which manifested in his legendary obsession with missing deadlines. In one essay, Mr. Adams in a brief digression says that if anyone who has the opportunity to go to Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, and doesn't--then you are "a complete idiot." I visited New Mexico once, perhaps twenty five years ago. I still love Santa Fe--and have to agree with Mr. Adams. So while I am at it: If you have ever enjoyed anything by Douglas Adams, but still do not read this book, then I am afraid you are a complete idiot..............
Rating:
Summary: The salmon of doubt has spawned for the last time
Review: This book has brought much joy to me in two big ways: Way one, that when I bought it with a barnes, and noble gift card that i had been given for christmas, I rtealized that the people at the store where the card was bought acually gave me 50$ worth of credit, instead of 25$ like it was supposed to be. And the second reason is that it is simply as good book. You get Adams' unpublished articles, interviews, and short stories. Along with What was there from what would have been adams' last novel if he hadn't passed away. Articles, interviews e,c,t; 4.5/5: Most of the book is consisted of these sorts of odds, and ends, and they are fantastic, on top of being really interesting. My personal favorites amoung this bunch are when he climbs Mt. Kilamanjaro in a rhino costume, when he brings a newly invented water transport vehicle, which he borrowed off a stranger, while listening to a crappy band in a park, and taking it down to austrailia to compare it to riding a manta ray. Which woould be worth the price of the bookif that were it, but fortunately it isn't. The salmon of doubt(novel);5/5: Wow! If this book had actually been completed it would definately be amoung his best. The only problem is that since it wasn't completed it sounds very strange( more than usual), which is not his, or the book's fault, it just made a few bits(especially the beginning) sound awkward . I would reccomend reading some of both the dirk gently, and hitchiker books, and have read at least three of his books total, in order to fully appreciate this. But if you do fully appreciate it, then it will keep you entertained for many an hour.
Rating: 
Summary: For true fans only
Review: The Salmon of Doubt gives the impression by its sub title that this may be the 6th hitchhiker book. It is not. This is a collection of essays and speeches that DNA had given, with a few short stories. The short story titled the Salmon of Doubt is a Dirk Gently novel that does not have a firm ending, which is obviously because DNA died before he finished writing it. All in all there were some astute observations and some wonderfully comic moments from DNA. I would only recommend this book to true die hard friends of DNA. For those of you who are thinking of giving Mr. Adams a chance, go read the Guide to the Galaxy first.
Thanks
T
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant Collection
Review: Right off the bat, I'd like to clarify what wasn't clear to me when I bought this book - three-quarters of the book are taken up by excerpts of Adams' work, ranging from interviews to introductions to speeches to columns. The remainder of the book is comprised of the unfinished manuscript for Salmon of Doubt, which, as the book states, was going to end up being taken apart, many of the ideas made into a sixth HHGttG book, and the rest made into a Dirk Gently book. The manuscript as it is is written as a third Dirk Gently novel, and is fantastic even in its rough and unfinished form. That said, don't be dissappointed - if you're an Adams' fan, you'll love this book, and if you're a hard-core Adams' fan, you'll need this book - if not for the quality and joy of Adams' writing, then simply because, quite frankly, this is the last we'll get of him. Personally, I found this book a little hard to read, only because it's very sad to know while reading it that this is the last book we'll ever see by the fantastic Douglas Adams.
Rating:
Summary: Thankfully, no postmortal marketing ploy
Review: Like many people who will read these reviews, I started out reading Adams' brilliant Hitchhiker pentology, then moved on to the excellent Dirk Gently books and finally found the best of all, the fantastic Last Chance to See. I remember the shock of hearing about the loss of Douglas Adams, which striked me as impossible as John Ritter's death. When this book was announced, I was very sceptic: a hodgepodge of older material and an unfinished novel ? Moneymaking at its worst, I thought (the subtitle "Hitchhikeing the galaxy one last time" didn't exactly instilled confidence, either). I'm happy to report that the Salmon of Doubt is a very good book. Much of the aforementioned mixed material, though partly published before, holds up surprisingly well over time and is certainly good for some chuckles and even a few belly laughs. Adams' passion and intelligence are displayed even in rather techinical pieces. The unfinished novel, though, is a real gem. As has been noted elsewhere, the unfinished state doesn't hurt a Dirk Gently novel as much as it would most other books. Still, it's painful to realize that the great mind of Mr Adams will not be able finish it. Obviously, this is completely the wrong book to start out if you're not familiar with any of Adams' works. I would even suggest that it's the last Adams book anyone should read. For us Adams fans (and you certainly know who you are) this is one last reminder of what we've lost and, thankfully, no moneymaking ploy at al.
|
