So in anticipation of the upcoming movie: http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/index.html I’ve been reading the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” So far I’m not enjoying it very much. Maybe I was expecting more since it has been touted to be such a great book. But I’m not getting into it much. What’s the deal. The humor is really out there. Maybe it’s that British humor that I just don’t seem to get. I feel like an Aiel who isn’t getting wetlander humor. Is it just me or is it a strange read? Things don’t flow really well and nothing makes much sense. It’s almost a looney adventure that you just never know what’s going to happen next. Guess maybe that’s the point. I just half was wondering if I’m missing something.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Almost a looney adventure that you just never know what’s going to happen next?!?
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Isn't lack of prediction a good thing?
I can't really judge. I heard the radio play first so I have voices when I read.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
I have to say that, from my experience, British humor is sometimes tough to "get." Generally, you either like it or you don't. I'm not sure if there are any suggestions for that. It is high on the kooky scale, but it is actually very intelligent. Try to make it all the way through the first book, and maybe check out the movie, but if you end up not liking it, I'll forgive you. Can't speak for anyone else... Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
It was one of my favorite series as a teenager, when it came out. Hilarious and unexpected and subversive and like nothing else out there, except maybe Monty Python.
When I reread it now, it's still funny to me, but not quite as perfect as it was. Now I can see problems with pacing, inconconsistencies, and stuff that was obviously shoveled in because it seemed a good idea at the time. Still in my top 50 books, but not what it was to me then.
It is very British humor, with the typical understated silliness. My wife has no interest in it whatsoever. See? Mixed marriages do work...
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Listen to the radio show! That's how its supposed to be enjoyed!
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
I don't know, Teshi. The graphics from the tv show (mini-series?) are priceless.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
For me, it's very much a mood piece. Yes, I loved it when I was younger, but now, if I'm not in the mood, it comes across as stupid. But if I am, I still love it and howl. Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Well either. Just get the voices into your head. Its not nearly as funny to read Marvin without having his drone in the back of your mind. The clipped perfect accent of The Book is also important to hear out loud.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
The first time I read Hitchhiker's Guide, I realized there were other people who found the same type of thing funny that I did.
It was such a relief to know I wasn't weird, just British at heart in my humor.
Dagonee
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
I like the series, but then, I usually enjoy "British humor", whatever that means exactly. Also, I was a teenager last time I read them. I don't know if that makes any difference, since I haven't read them since. But I suspect I'd still enjoy them, because I already know not to take them too seriously.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
You're not alone, Jay. I read it and was bored. Never read the remaining books.
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Ahh…. Finally. I’m not alone in the universe. Now if I can just find a fish to put in my ear.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
See? You're already getting it! Posted by Cow-Eating Man (Member # 4491) on :
Unlike Game of Thrones, it's okay to not love Hitchhiker's Guide. The humor is British which doesn't equate with universal.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
I loved the Hitchhiker series, but even more than that, I loved Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and The Long, Dark Teatime of the Soul.
And I do think that not everyone gets British humor. My mom doesn't, for example.
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
Somebody's bitter.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
If you're referring to me, then yes, I am, though not about my mom not liking British humor. She can like whatever makes her happy. Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I just reread it and I, literally, said," And why do I like this book again? Oh right, because its funny." And then I put it down and lost that particular copy. Oh well it was my worst copy of four copies. Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I have always had a British sense of humor. Always. Reading THHGTTG was like turning the corner on a long driveway to find your house at the far end; it was like coming home to a place I hadn't realized I'd never been.
There are people who do not find it funny. There are people who find very little British humor funny at all. I do not long associate with these people. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I never really "got into" that book either. I read it -- well about half of it. Had to check it back into the library because it was due, and never really missed not finishing it.
My son, however, loves all kinds of British humor -- he loves British humor on PBS and such. About the only British humor I have really enjoyed was Red Dwarf.
I really didn't even like Monty Python and The Holy Grail much -- although I find my self quoting from it ocassionally -- (the witch and the duck)
Farmgirl
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Tom, does that mean you don't want to hang out with me? Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
"He's so unhip, it's amazing his butt doesn't fall off." And the cult of the sandwichmaker.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
MH was a major disappointment to me. It was too clearly DA's definitive statement that he was never writing about Arthur Dent again. It's also the only one I waited for - all the rest were out when I first read HGttG.
Posted by RackhamsRazor (Member # 5254) on :
I just started reading it too. Actually, I am really enjoying it. I find it quite entertaining Posted by Kamui (Member # 7619) on :
I keep starting to read THGttG but then something else distracts me. Last time it was OSC's release of Crystal City. Battle lines were drawn and wars were fought in my head, fealings were hurt and I cried. but then I read Crystal City and forgot all about it. I wonder where it bloody went... atleast I'll always have my towel. if I'm anything, it's a hoopy frood who really knows where his towel is.
Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
Don't worry, Jay. Not all British humor is like Douglas Adams. I personally think Douglas Adams was an extremely funny guy, and I find a lot of his writing hilarious, but I didn't like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy all that much. Maybe I should reread it.
Jen
Posted by Mr.Gumby (Member # 6303) on :
quote: I heard the radio play first so I have voices when I read.
um... what do the voices tell you? Are they the same as mine?
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 619) on :
It is a classic, as explained to me by a film student in college: "A classic is something much more interesting to talk about than to read."
The logical jokes are always good to have in your hip pocket. If nothing else, keep the Babel Fish Paradox around for the next time someone tells you that you must believe in God through Faith, and not because of Proof.
And remember, physicists don't get invited to those types of parties. (Important when making a career choice.) Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I really dislike that book. I like some Brittish humor, but not most of it. I like Monty Pythin, but only in small amounts, otherwise it gets on my nerves.
Kwea
Posted by Mr.Gumby (Member # 6303) on :
I plan on buying the complete hitchhiker's guide. I just finished reading the Shadow series and am looking for another good series to read. I want to get the complete guide because it has "Young Zaphod plays it safe"
either that or Long dark tea time of the soul
[ March 28, 2005, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: Mr.Gumby ]
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
The Dirk Gently books are, in a word, brilliant. They also require a certain level of intelligence from the reader -- especially the first, since the actual resolution is never in fact explicitly laid out. Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
I loved the first two books in the increasingly ill-named trilogy, but then it just kinda ground to a halt... I don't even remember if I finished the 4th book.
-Bok
Posted by babager (Member # 6700) on :
Nope.. didn't like it...not one bit. Took me forever just to trudge through it.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I loved the Hitchhiker series . . . I am sure my father was absolutely sick of them before I finished, though, since every page I found something else I had to read to him and try to make him understand why it was funny . . . (insert wicked grin)
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I've got the omnibus edition, and I'm currently about halfway through. To be exact (I just looked) I've finished through the end of "Life, The Universe and Everything", and tomorrow I'll start in on "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish".
I don't think I ever managed to read the whole thing before. And I totally hear Alan Rickman when I read Marvin now...
Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :
I have the More Than Complete Hitch Hiker's Guide. It includes Hitch Hiker's Guide through Life, the Universe, and Everything, and "Young Zaphod Plays it Safe."
It was released before Mostly Harmless, making it less than complete. Posted by Wonko The Sane (Member # 2945) on :
I liked it Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
quote: The Dirk Gently books are, in a word, brilliant. They also require a certain level of intelligence from the reader -- especially the first, since the actual resolution is never in fact explicitly laid out.
I can't find a copy of the first one. I'm very unhappy about it. Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Ok, I finished the book last night. What a struggle. I didn’t even know it was over. I’m thoroughly disappointed. The plot seemed to not even exist. Jokes were just……. Sad. And it seemed like every time you turned the page was like what? Ooie…. To think I got the complete version that has four more books. I’m really confused on how this because such a cult classic. But then again, people seem to like different things so to each his own. I’m seriously debating on weather to go see the movie now. Maybe I’ll just go get something to eat instead.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Out of interest, Jay, what kind of things do you find funny?
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
Apparently, this. Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
I love british humour and was in tears throughout HHGtG, but somewhere in the middle of "Life, the Universe and Everything" I got bored with the jokes. They were very repetitive and predictable, but I finished "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish" just because I felt it necessary.
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Friends was a great funny show. So is Seinfeld, Everyone loves Raymond, and Joey. I like sarcasm a lot. Sci-fi shows tend to have that in there a lot. The Stargate series’ are very good at these. OSC is good with sarcasm. Let’s see… Calvin and Hobbes was always a favorite. Garfield in his early days was good, horrible now a days. Oh what else. I don’t know. I guess Letterman and Leno are pretty funny. The Blue Collar Tour is pretty funny too. Ok, I guess that’s a pretty good chuckle list.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Woo! I got the 42nd post!
Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :
I never really thought Raymond was funny, but I sort of see how it could be. But Joey is just all the charm, cleverness, and interesting characters that made Friends any good.
Jay, as far as British humor goes, you might like Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Start from Mort.
Posted by Mr.Gumby (Member # 6303) on :
quote: I can't find a copy of the first one. I'm very unhappy about it.
is this what you're looking for?
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
I think I've had my fill of British humor for a while. Not sure I'll go looking for any.....
Plus I've got a pile of books that I want to tackle. Not sure weather to start Stephen R. Donaldson's Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant or to finally read OSC’s Rachel & Leah. Decisions decisions decisions.
Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :
Trust me, Pratchett is a much better storyteller than Douglas Adams. Keep it in mind for the future, when you're looking for something new to try.
Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
OK, I just got the Color of Magic, by Terry Pratchett. On a side note, the Borders bookstore in Center City Philly has a large selection of signed books by OSC. I'd say 60% of OSC books on sale are signed copies.
[ April 01, 2005, 06:56 PM: Message edited by: Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged ]
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Wowbagger, it should be noted that Colour of Magic is one of Pratchett's worst Discworld books, which is why almost no one recommends that you start with it. Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Heh...wish I'd known that.
I started with the Colour of Magic...and I haven't read any others, because I didn't think it was that great.
Posted by urbanX (Member # 1450) on :
Now you tell me. (This is Wowbagger btw.) What book should I start with then?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Most people recommend Mort. Posted by calaban (Member # 2516) on :
Well I certainly keep my towel handy, just to be prepared for those pesky interstellar relocations, and always wonder what really would happen if I fell and got distracted at just the right moment..
Hitch Hikers is my cure for the blues. Btw, anybody whose seen the trailer, why does everybodies favorite depressed robot look like the michelin man with an allergec reaction to a bee sting.
Posted by Occasional (Member # 5860) on :
I really like Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy" and most of the series. I got tired of it around the third or fourth book. The thing is, I don't even usually like British humor. OK, I was a fan of Red Dwarf as well and some of the same humor is in that series. One of my favorite comedies is Monty Python and the Holy Grail, another British Comedy. Then there is Mr. Bean, although I am not sure how "British" that show was, as sight gags are rather American.
Any other British Comedy I have seen was mostly boring. I know this is a strange question, but I wonder if Nepolean Dynomite could be considered Americanized British humor? It seemed to have the same low key absurdity.
Posted by calaban (Member # 2516) on :
That list makes sense because Douglas Adams was with Monty Python for a time at least.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
And the cult of the sandwichmaker.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)