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Summary: Complex as life.
Review: I think I must have read this book a thousand times, and I think I've finally worked it out. Douglas Adams tries to capture the complexity of life in a single novel by writing about every topic under the sun. Although certainly a humorous book, it has undertones of a far more serious theme; what is art? Can the creation of humanity possibly match the infinite complexity of life while still retaining the relentless beauty of the natural world? When I was in year 11, I wrote an essay of "Music as a Theme in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency", and indeed this book deserves far more attention than it has been given. To everyone who _thinks_ they understand this book, a quick quiz: 1. Why the telephone with big buttons? 2. Why the mention of Porlock? 3. What is ironic about Gordon's living in a rectory? 4. Why the teeth? 5. Why Bermuda? There, I think that should winnow out the alleged experts...
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Summary: This is my favourite book.
Review: There is nothing more brilliant than this piece of literature. Read it. And then read it again. It is absolutely amazing!
Rating:
Summary: Read it at least twice!
Review: This book, and indeed this series, is my personal favorite. I've read both books several times, and still find something new each time. The satire on the human condition, industry, beauracracy, and everything in general are superb. What really grabs you and doesn't let go is Adams' vivid "scene painting". You can almost smell the mist at St. Cedd's campus, feel the soft earth beneath your feet in the rain forest, and hear the horrendous cacophony in G-minor. I'm still a little confused by the ending, but this doesn't detract from the rest of the story. I think my favorite character has to be Reg. Adams has a wonderful ability to make you almost feel as though you know the characters personally, and this book is no exception. If you like books that just read a story at you, this is NOT the book for you. This one puts you behind the interrogation desk, points the light in your face, and demands that you figure it out for yourself. I love it!
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Summary: Absolute genious!!!
Review: This book completely blows me away! It was so amazing! It was hysterically funny yet very intelligent.
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Summary: You gotta love Douglas Adams!
Review: After reading all six books of The Trilogy, I was starving for more Douglas Adams material. "Dirk Gently's ..." certainly is was I was looking for. But after some consideration, I think it's really unfair to compare The Hichthiker's Guide to this book. Adams is at his best here: the book is funny, complicated, catching, provocating, appealing... in a word: Fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, Light. Makes a great book to read at bedtime.
Review: I have read DA's Hitch Hikers before. I feel that generally his stories are mostly light entertaining reading. But scattered in these texts are the occational jewel- something really original and helarious. I read mostly to pick them out. This book had a couple of these Jewels in it which makes the book worthwhile reading e.g : Speculation on underwhat circumstances the Book of Revelations were written, thus explaining its ( the Book of Revelation's ) character.
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Summary: ADAMS FINEST!
Review: Don't be discouraged by the lukewarm to poor reviews you may read on this page. The Dirk Gently books are far superior to the Hitchhiker's series (we didn't really need five!). These plots are complex but the storytelling, as usual, is superb and hilarious. These are laugh out loud books to the core. I have no idea what Adams has up his sleeve next, but I'm praying for another Dirk Gently book.
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Summary: Another twisted, enjoyable one from Douglas Adams
Review: Pretty different from the Hitchhiker's mould, this book is a more involved & twisted tale. Hilarious all the way through.
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Summary: Hysterical!
Review: I'm puzzled by how many people seem to have had difficulty with this book. True, it's confusing as can be -- but any good mystery novel has you guessing at every step of the way. I rarely even smile while reading a book, no matter how funny. But this one had me laughing out loud from the minute the poor Electric Monk is believing the world is pink. No, this isn't a book for people who like simple plots and kindergarten writing. But for those who can handle wit, satire, and complex story-telling -- this one's a gem!Honestly, probably one of the funniest books I've read in my whole life (with the exception of "Good Omens," I should add...)!
Rating: 
Summary: Just average.
Review: After taking a chance to finally read a "Douglas Adams" book, was I impressed? I'm not sure. Parts of this novel were comical and very original, but I'm still confused and, therefore, disappointed by the ending. Also, too much credit is given to his "philisophical" undertones. Do people really read his writings for that reason? A fun book to read, but not worth all the hipe.
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