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Summary: Acts of Gods, modern ennui and private hospitals, oh my!
Review: Douglas Adams is amazingly whimsical. If the Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy didn't convince you of that, the Dirk Gently novels will. Gently is a detective, but no Sherlock Holmes. No, rather than ruling out the impossible to leave only the improbable, Gently prefers to believe the impossible, because it makes so much more sense than the improbable. He solves his case through ingenuity, luck, and a belief in the interconnectedness of all things.A highlight for me is Dirk's method of finding directions. He just follows someone who looks like they know where they are going. This, he says, doesn't always get him to where he wanted to go, but almost always gets him to where he needs to be. If only we all had such faith! This book is the second of two about the private eye. I don't want to give away too much of the story, as it is definitely a mystery, but it covers some of the same ground as American Gods in a much less sinister manner. Everything has a reason and a rhyme in this book, even if at first encounter, an event makes no sense, neither to the characters nor the reader. While the ending is a bit abrupt for my taste, if you like whimsy, you'll get an ample helping with this book.
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Summary: If you liked Hitch Hiker's Guide, you'll like this
Review: Douglas Adams, in my opinion, is really funny. He writes jokes that you have to be pretty smart to get, but not a genius. British jokes. But jokes, nonetheless. He writes strange, off-the-wall, science fiction humor. Sometimes the book can get a little too strange and make you go, "what?" and reread that page, but its still good. I liked it, and I hope you'll like it too.
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Summary: More Great Humor from Adams
Review: For fans of his Hitchhiker series, you won't be disappointed! Laugh out loud funny with a twist of science fiction. Something here for everyone. Buy this book or you will never know what is...Douglas Adams.
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Summary: A phenomenal statement
Review: His best ever. Thor is amazingly depicted running through the planet earth in a most charming and wildly whimsical manner. Dirk Gently was introduced to me in this book and is my favorite fiction character in over 20 years of reading fiction. Simply Brilliant!
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Summary: Douglas Adams at his almost best
Review: Humans only use about 10% of their brain power. Ever wonder what the other 90% is used for? Douglas Adams answers this and other random facts of life in this novel. Norse gods vs. lawyers, an opening sentence about the futility of airports, harmless explosions and green monsters hiding behind a molecule are all a part of this, one of Adams better novels. The only detractions from this novel are the occasionally confusing plot and the end which does not quite satisfy in the manner that the beginning did. Overall this novel will make you laugh, which is all you would expect, or want, of Douglas Adams.
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Summary: Great book, but not as good as the first
Review: I came away from this book with the feeling that it was a bit of a comedown after the first Dirk Gently book. It didn't quite deliver the same laugh-out-loud hilarity and intelligent, complex plot as the first one. Having said that, though, you still can't go very wrong by buying this book. I love all of Douglas Adams' works (yes, even the oft-maligned "Mostly Harmless"), so for me a four-star review just means that it wasn't quite as enjoyable as many of his other books. But it's still a good read, no question about it.
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Summary: Dirk Gently Returns
Review: I did not enjoy this one as much as "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency". I do have to say that Douglas Adams is an incredible writer and I have enjoyed all of his books. His has a wonderful sense of humor and is very intelligent, and it shows through in his Dirk Gently series. Like the first book, the story starts out with several story lines developing and slowly coming together for a climactic ending. It's up to Dirk Gently to solve the mystery of his late clients death and the mysterious explosion in London's Heathrow Airport that was deemed an "act of God". I was left feeling rather dissatisfied by the ending. I didn't understand why some things happened that did, and was left feeling confused and unfulfilled. However, I do not think that this is because of the book itself, but rather that perhaps I didn't devote the attention to this book that it deserves and requires. It has a very intricate plot and was very thought provoking. I will be re-reading this book to better my understanding of it, and I would love to see more of Dirk Gently in the future.
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Summary: Read it more than once!
Review: I have read all the volumes of THE HITCHHIKERS GUIDE. In fact, I've read all of DNA's books including his nonfiction such as THE DEEPER MEANING OF LIFF and LAST CHANCE TO SEE. Of all the books, THE LONG DARK TEA-TIME OF THE SOUL is by far my favorite. I must add, there is no piece of fiction that I have read as many times as THE LONG DARK TEA-TIME OF THE SOUL. Why would a person read this novel more that once? First, it is hilarious! The dialogs and interaction among the characters are well honed. This description of airports on the first couple of pages will induce everyone to continue reading. Second, the story and the underlying theoretical principles that guide the novel are quite complex. Thus, a person can read this novel ten times and still undercover an unanticipated wrinkle that sheds new light on the plot and subplots. Third, from an academic perspective, Dirk Gently employs an "ecological system model" as the centerpiece of his investigative tools. Gently's worldview represents an extreme form of a theory that student's commonly learn in college. Teaching the theoretical principles of the ecological system model is a stuffy and arduous enterprise. However, using Dirk Gently as an example opens the door for understanding among many college students. Back in 1991, I emailed DNA about how I was using his novel in class. He replied and was pleased with my efforts. I love this book and feel sad that I will not have the pleasure reading more of DNA's work.
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Summary: Pleasantly Surprising
Review: I just started my Literature AP class, so i dont claim to know everything about good literature. But if your in the same boat as me, then you can trust me. Very confusing book, which is all part of the fun! Think about the title for a second, well, the title explain exactly what your in for when you read this book (except my tea-time wasnt too dark) The munedaness (if thats a word) of life, and how us humans take it for granted. Things like resting peacefully under linen sheets, or casually attending parties, these things are what make a person happy, and maybe a god too.... Very intelligent reading, i wouldnt sugest it for 2nd graders :)
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: I just wanted to add (to all of the other reviews) that, while the Dirk Gently books may not be as hilarious as the Hitchhiker's book (and at times verge toward drama), I would say they are much more interesting. The plots are complicated to be sure, at times esoteric and puzzling, and you may even have to re-read, but I find it is well worth it. Fascinating.
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