The Road to Mars

Rating:
Summary: After a bumpy start, the books is funny and suspenseful.
Review: When I first began to read the book, I was expected more silly humor along the lines of "Monty Python". Mr. Idle, and the rest of the world have matured a bit though. Nevertheless, as I settled into the novel, I truly enjoyed it. Carlton, the Bowie-class robot, is truly the hero of the novel in his attempt to define what comedy is, and save his human masters from terrorists. I can picture this as a movie, as Mr. Idle has referred to in his interview, but the book is a good, easy read. If you like Douglas Adams, then you will like "The Road to Mars".

Rating:
Summary: Sci-fi fun!
Review: A cross between Monty Python and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Engaging story. Great characters. And some truly insightful thinking about the roots of comedy. Wonderful. Highly Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The Road to Oblvion for Eric Idle if He Keeps This Up
Review: Eric Idle tries very hard here to be funny while offering deep insights into the meaning and function of comedy, but unfortunately doesn't succeed at being either funny or meaningful. This is really more of Idle's excuse for why comics are so f***ed up and why we should really feel sorry for them. The first part of the story reads like bad Douglas Adams, but then Idle just starts trying too hard and the book gets worse. Ironically, the mystery of what is going on with the cruise ship Keppler on which Idle's fictional comedy team of Lewis and Muscroft gets stuck is more interesting than his musings on comedy.

I should have realized the book was going to be weak when I read Steve Martin's front cover testimonial, which says "I laugh. I cried. Then I read the book." Funny, but not exactly a testimonial, more like the thing your friend says when he wants to give you a good quote but doesn't really like the book. If you're jonesing for good science fiction comedy and have run out of Douglas Adams' books, try the British sci fi comedy series "Red Dwarf," or buy Sharyn McCrumb's "Bimbos of the Death Sun," which is dated but nevertheless excellent. But skip this book unless you really have nothing better to fall back on. It's readable, and it's moderately enjoyable, but it's not really very good. A disappointing effort from a genuine hero of the comedy world.

Rating:
Summary: READ THIS BOOK!!!
Review: Without the slightest hint of doubt, this is the best piece of non-graphic literature that I have ever read. I believe that this book should be taught in every high-scool English literature class, because the ideas and theories presented in this novel will boggle its readers' minds. It has a wonerful blend of hilarious comedy, but at the same time it is very poignant and thought-provoking. I recommend this book to everyone who can read.