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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.
Posts: 2845 | Registered: Oct 2003
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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... Posts: 1090 | Registered: Oct 2003
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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...
Posts: 7790 | Registered: Aug 2000
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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. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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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.
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
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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.
Posts: 1814 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Unlike Game of Thrones, it's okay to not love Hitchhiker's Guide. The humor is British which doesn't equate with universal.
Posts: 98 | Registered: Jan 2003
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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. Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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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. Posts: 6026 | Registered: Dec 2004
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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. Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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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)
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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.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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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.
Posts: 26 | Registered: Mar 2005
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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.
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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.) Posts: 2473 | Registered: Jan 2000
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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.
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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"
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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. Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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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.
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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)
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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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...
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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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. Posts: 1357 | Registered: Mar 2002
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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. Posts: 6026 | Registered: Dec 2004
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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.
Posts: 2845 | Registered: Oct 2003
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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.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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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.
Posts: 2845 | Registered: Oct 2003
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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.
Posts: 1357 | Registered: Mar 2002
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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.
Posts: 2845 | Registered: Oct 2003
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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.
Posts: 1357 | Registered: Mar 2002
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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 ]
Posts: 796 | Registered: Mar 2005
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