And Another Thing...

In And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer, Arthur Dent has once again found himself caught up in the ongoing chase of everyday life in the universe. There’s always another planet to explore, another species to encounter, or another group of aliens that want to improbably blow him and the rest of the universe into a million tiny peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Yet somehow he avoids it all and continues on with his improbably prolonged life between the galaxies. Some day his luck has to run out though, and at the rate his life is going, he almost wishes it would. In the meantime, he might as well spend his time trying (and failing) to enjoy life while it lasts. On his journey, he experiences everything from traveling on a ship made of dark matter to feasting on some talking cows that are all too eager to be eaten. He meets a plethora of strange, exotic beings, ugly, evil aliens, and not altogether sane immortals on his quest to figure out why the heck he and his reckless and foolish friends Zaphod Beeblebrox and Ford Prefect aren’t dead yet, and to find another planet that can actually serve a decent cup of tea.

And Another Thing is just the latest installment in the wacky and outrageous Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy saga. Eoin Colfer expertly adapts to Douglas Adams’ sarcastic and humorous writing style, creating a story that combines comical bloopers with brilliant sci-fi themes. The transitions between scenes are smooth, and you get to really see the story from the perspective of every character in it. The “Guide Notes” scattered throughout the book are also a nice touch, giving you some insight into the background of the history of the universe, at least according to this knowledgeable hitchhiker. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a story like no other. I award this book four out of five stars. It has excellent writing and laughs “...coming out [the] wazoo.”

I don't read many books that scarcely deserve only a single star, mostly I give them up. But having paid full price for this hardback, and having been such a fan of the Hitchhikers Guide series I made myself finish it. I wouldn't let myself read any other books until this was finished, and its taken a while.

I thought that the quality of the writing, the stale gags and the constant and irrelevant interruptions of 'Guide' entries were the pits. It read like amateur fan fiction by a group of collaborators who would each write a paragraph or more and then leave it for the next person. I cannot imagine what Douglas Adam's estate thought authorising and endorsing this dreadful book - money I suppose.

I've never read any Eoin Colfer before, although I know he is a successful YA author and perhaps that's why the writing struck me as so shallow and immature, but whatever... I just didn't enjoy it and that's that. ( )

Am I becoming old?
Definitely.
Am I losing my sense of humour?
Most likely.
Am I disappointed that Eoin Colfer can't carry a candle to the late great departed Mr Adams?
Yes. The bugger.

I was conned. I was ripped off. I dreamed of dolphins and instead I got sardines.

And Arther wasn't even wearing his dressing gown.

And that reminds me, wasn't Zaphod a brunette?

And another thing...a seventh book would be killing the overkill, Mr Colfer. Please don't. ( )

I thought he did a very good job of retaining the wit and flavor of the original without trying to be a carbon copy of Douglas Adams.

( )

It had its moments. Some of them were funny, and I would say that Colfer got the characters down pretty well. I kind of liked this book, but it really dragged too much. Adams would get off track and meander and get rather zany and random, but it worked for him. With this one, not as much. I think if it had been condensed to about half its length, it would have worked much better. Adams always seemed to know just how much was just the right amount... ( )