Hello there and welcome to The Turndog Review: the books I read, reviewed.
I aren’t a professional critic, instead all I offer is my honest opinion into everything I read. However, I do this with a difference, as I don’t only offer my personal views on the Writing, Plot, and Story, but also the Book Cover, Book Marketing, and Author Website.
We live in a modern world where being a writer is different to years gone by, and I feel the whole experience of the book matters. This covers everything from the initial find, the actual read, and everything that follows. Therefore I hope this review not only offers a great insight into the book and author, but also into my own mind and what makes me tick.
So without further ado let’s begin, and today I focus on The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Published: 1985-1992
Read: July2012
Discovered: Been on my list for a LONG TIME
Overview:
For those who do not know, this is a series of 5 books (there is actually a sixth, but this isn’t part of this review). I read the first book about 18 months ago, but wanted to read all 5 in one go.
A friend of mine let me borrow the hardcover and I aimed to get it read in one month (I overran by 2 days). The reason? To get to grips with the entire story. All in all, what a ride it has been.
Douglas Adams is so brilliantly British, and it’s this dry humour that kept me engrossed throughout. Oh Mr Adams, what a legend you are.
It follows Author Dent (amongst others) as he embarks on adventure after adventure across the universe. It is full of thrills, spills, and things that don’t make sense.
What it does do, often, is include creative sci-fi aspects, but not in a typical sci-fi manner. This is a series of funny things, witty characters, and silly, at times Monty Python esque, aspects. I love it!
The Good:
First of all, the first book has my favourite scene ever. It’s the one where the whale is falling from the sky and discovering life for the first time. Quite frankly, it is brilliant.
And it is this, the creative genius of Douglas Adams that’s the true strength of this series. The characters are good, but not amazing, and the plot is crazy, and at times hard to follow, but the quirky, wittiness of the entire thing is brilliant.
It’s dry and humours throughout. It’s creative and out there. And it takes the really simple things and puts it in a manner that makes you say ‘wow, I didn’t think of it like that before’.
The Bad:
It rambles…a lot. This is quite a normal English trait though. I know I ramble. In fact, I’m rambling now.
But it can get a little trying after 5 books. Sometimes you just want to scream and say ‘enough, get on with it’. I suppose, at the same time, this is part of its charm, but it can ramble and lose focus. At times I found myself drifting off and scanning the text. This isn’t good.
Book Cover:
What can I say, this particular cover (the one I read) is rather old school. It’s nothing flashy, but I suppose it gets the job done.
I love how Douglas Adams is at the heart of this cover. He is great, so should take centre stage. The text overall is fine. It stands out, and it has to be remembered that this cover wasn’t created with things like Amazon (small thumbnail picture) in mind. Great foresight.
Overall, nothing special but certainly not bad. A good solid C Grade Cover.
Book Marketing:
This is a book from the 80’s, and it has such an avid following, it’s hard to expect too much in terms of in-book marketing. It features some bare essential info on Mr Adams, but that’s about it.
And like I say, it’s a cult classic. This will always sell. It will always be passed down the generations, and I feel in England at least, will remain popular for some time.
Simply create a special edition every 10 years and good things will happen. There was also a sixth edition (written by a different author) especially for the 25th anniversary. I haven’t read this, and not sure how good it will be. But I like the premise. It allows the legend to live on.
Author Website & Engagement:
Douglas Adams is sadly passed, so engagement is obviously not a factor. He does have a website, but it is badly in need of an update.
I truly hope someone, at some point in the future, gives it the update it requires. He is such a legend and this series deserves a community that people can flock to. There are communities already, but it would be great to have a website where people can share stories, thanks, and the love of the Guide
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Overall, I recommend 100%. My favourite is book 1 by far, but I also loved ‘so Long, And Thanks For All The Fish’. All the books are good, but these two have a special place in my heart.
If you haven’t read any, I suggest you do. It’s dry, funny, and clever. What more can you ask for? I give it
4 Turndogs out of 5
Thanks for reading this version of The Turndog Review. I review every book I read, not only for the writing, but the marketing, website, and general communication from the author.
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