792. The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul

The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul
Douglas Adams
1988
Around 260 pages

Another Douglas Adams to coo over! I love all my Dougy novels, but I actually enjoyed the main mystery of this novel more than its predecessor. And it also contains one of my favorite opening lines in all of literature: "It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on Earth has ever produced the expression 'As pretty as an airport.'" So true, especially for the Pittsburgh airport.

Dirk Gently is back, and once again he is solving the mysteries of the universe. The main mystery concerns Dirk's decapitated client, an explosion at Heathrow, and a mad eagle. Usually, I don't enjoy novels described as "surreal" but this was definitely a surreal, madcap adventure.

Sunday afternoons are a pretty gloomy time, and he captures that despair well. It's a strange talent he has, that he can be so outrageous and philosophically accurate at the same time. Unfortunately, that was the last Adams novel on the List. So what's the point of going on?

Oh yes, John Irving.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Adams had intended to follow it with a third such novel, The Salmon of Doubt, but he died before completing it.

UP NEXT: Cigarettes by Harry Mathews

791. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Douglas Adams
1987
Around 310 pages

Douglas Adams is the funniest author I have ever read, so I'm delighted that we get to experience two of his works in a row. He's such a quotable writer, and I have to include some my favorites here:

1. "Gordon Way's astonishment at being suddenly shot dead was nothing compared to his astonishment at what happened next."

2. “He seemed more like a succession of extraordinary events than a person.”

3. "There had been a nasty moment when his life had flashed before his eyes but he had been too preoccupied with falling and had missed all the good bits."

Dirk Gently is the anti Sherlock Holmes. Holmes works by eliminating the impossible theories, while Gently lives in the impossible theories. He also loves pizza, so I really vibe with this guy. The story is very complicated to explain, but like other Adams' stories, the narrative is peppered with quirky set pieces and characters. I particularly enjoyed the sofa permanently stuck in the stairwell, and the Bach reveal. 

Very British and incredibly charming. I wouldn't expect anything less from our Doug. 

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

The genesis of the novel was in two Doctor Who serials written by Adams.

This novel caused Adams to become acquainted with the well-known scientist Richard Dawkins.

UP NEXT: The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul by Douglas Adams

701. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams
1979

Around 220 pages

I actually dressed up like Arthur Dent in high school on Halloween. I strutted down the hallway wearing my bathrobe and holding my towel, just waiting for the prom invitations to start pouring in. This will always be one of my favorite novels, and remains the funniest book I've ever had the pleasure to read.

Broadly speaking, the story follows the adventures of Arthur Dent, who is the last surviving man after the Earth is destroyed by Vogons to make way for a hyperspace bypass. Dent was rescued by Ford Prefect, an alien writer for the electronic travel guide The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 

Adams is a hilarious writer, and I just have to put some of my favorite quotes here, although it's hard to narrow it down:

• "Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
• “The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't.”
• “If there's anything more important than my ego around, I want it caught and shot now.”
• “Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”

All of his humor is peppered with wisdom as well, so it really does feel like a guide to navigating the galaxy. Marvin the Paranoid Android the best literary invention of all time. There are just so many elements to love in this story: the dolphins, the Vogons' poetry, Zaphod Beeblebrox, to name a few. This really shook up the scifi genre, which was a rather dreary affair before this.

Truly an essential read, it makes the weight of the world just a little bit lighter.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Eoin Colfer continued the series with a sixth novel. This book, entitled And Another Thing..., was published in October 2009, on the 30th anniversary of the publication of the original novel. Why can't they leave well enough alone?

When Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster was launched into space on the maiden flight of the Falcon Heavy rocket in February 2018, it had the words DON'T PANIC on the dashboard display and carried amongst other items a copy of the novel and a towel.

UP NEXT: If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino