Goliverse discussion

I'm surprised no one has started discussing this book yet. Have people read it yet? I have read (listened to) the book before, but haven't gotten to it for the book club yet.

I absolutely loved this book. It was exciting, interesting, and most of all - hilarious. Adams just takes these bizarre ideas - an improbability engine, interstellar bureaucracy, mice performing experiments on scientists - and throws them around in the wackiest ways.

And Stephen Fry is - to me - the best possible narrator for the audio book. His sense of humor and way of talking (I am a fan of Fry's from the British sketch comedy show A Bit if Fry and Laurie) match Hitchhikers perfectly.

I'm looking forward to relistening.

I have read this book every few years since I was introduced to it in the late 80s. I downloaded the Fry audio book this time, too. But I still have my prized 'leather' copy of The Complete* Hitchhiker's Guide that I got at the Waldenbooks at the Mall (do they still have either of those?).
Fry was the voice of the Guide in the oft-maligned movie. Martin Freeman who played Arthur in the movie has also narrated all the books as well if anyone prefers.

I thought the movie was fine. I didn't think it was fantastic, but I didn't have any problems with it. I like the book better of course.

I had not read Hitchhiker's until it was picked for the book of the month. Also listened to the audiobook. I preferred the audiobook over actually reading the book. I guess because Stephen Fry's reading gave me more laughs. I hope to eventually make it through the rest of the Hitchhiker books.

Rudolph, the rest are just as good. The audiobooks are narrated by Martin Freeman instead of Stephen Fry. He's good, but I prefer Fry.

Are we super behind as far as the show goes compared to here. I feel like by the time the show comes out i have read the book like 2 months ago. So i have just been waiting until the show is announced before inread the book. Especially since this one is so short.

The episodes have been bear the end of the month. I generally start a book later so it's fresh. I haven't started this months yet. I have read this one a few times before though.

The episodes have been bear the end of the month. I generally start a book later so it's fresh. I haven't started this months yet. I have read this one a few times before though.

Yeah. I'm starting to do that, too. So I wait to start August's book (Hitchhikers) until the start of September. Maybe we should just call that September's book.

They are running late. Probably my fault. I'm busier than I should be.

well, it really depends how much time people have to read. some people might need from August 1 to August 31 to add up enough time to get through the book. then they can have some time to discuss on the forum before the episode. my problem is I usually rush right in and get finished halfway through the month. then I have a long time to wait until the episode.

I took notes, because I can't seem to remember what I ate for breakfast. I generally wait to read as well, but I jumped right in this time, because I don't know why. Now I'm on #3. I hope I don't get them all confused. And with each book I'm losing interest. My brain is getting tired of the constant brain twisting, abstract thought that is a constant thread. Still fun, but I'm not having as much fun as I did with #1. And I agreed that Stephen Fry is a brilliant reader. I like Martin well enough, but Stephen Fry's serious tone makes it all the more ridiculous! As for the movie, I didn't hate it, but it seems only loosely based on the books. Like they had their own story they wanted to tell and used Hitchhikers for a backdrop.

My understanding is that Hitchhikers was originally a series of radio broadcasts, which Adams eventually adapted into a series of books. there was also a BBC miniseries. I'm not sure whether that was made before or after the books, but I think it takes some inspiration from the radio dramas. if I remember right, some aspects of the film are actually from the original radio stories, as opposed to the book. all of this is off the top of my head, though. if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me mercilessly.

Give you the Newhouse treatment then?

exactly. and be sure to bring it up on the episode. "Matt said they did radio dramas, but he was flat out wrong!"

"I just seconded him, but he said it first."

The turn of this thread has made me happy

The turn of this thread has made me happy

bahahaha!

So let's talk some about this book. Reply with either your favorite quote, your favorite piece of technology, or your favorite entry from the Guide.

The version I listened to back at the beginning of summer were the radio stories. Does Audible have a reading of the book too? I don't need it, I have print copies of the first 2 of the 5-book "trilogy", but I was just curious. :-)
And Matt, I don't remember the order (don't forget the Hitchhiker's text adventure game by Infocom), but EVERY version of the story on each medium is slightly different, none are the same.

Besides the fact that I LOVE the names Slarty Bartfast and Magic Thighs, there are two quotes that made me laugh.
The first is Arthur; '"I don't want to die now," he yelled. "I've still got a headache. I don't want to go to heaven with a headache, I'd be all cross and wouldn't enjoy it."'
The second is Magic Thighs and Vroomfundle making demands. "That's right, we demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty."
And I apologize if I misspelled the names; I listened instead of read.

I've just finished reading the 5th book. And now my brain hurts.

The whole idea of the infinite improbability drive is hilarious, and has so many possible applications in the story. The "oh no, not again" from the petunias is funny. it has more meaning in later books, but it is almost funnier without the later context.

Wendy, I usually just skip the fifth book. Adams was in a really bad place as during and after his divorce. He regretted it afterwards and was working on a sixth, lighter book. But he died before he could finish it.

On retrospect, the ending, well, I kinda liked it. But dang I got confused. Just, GAH!! I had to consult the hitchhiker's wiki to unwind my confusion. Once I got it, I understood it. Still made my brain hurt but the very end was actually satisfying as it fit the ironic tone of the whole series. And I did read that Adams regretted the ending. Thanks for the additional info, Bryan. It explains why it wasn't as funny.

There are too many quotes that I pull from this book to have just one favorite. Almost every chapter has some nugget of solid gold in it, like "This must be Thursday. I never could get the hang of Thursdays."

perfect

yeah. I use that "Thursday" quote in real life all the time.

I also love some of the words and phrases Adams comes up with. Pangalactic Gargleblaster is so much fun to say.

The last time I read HHGTG I hadn't read any Discworld. Now I have read Discworld and the humor is more subtle in Discworld, though the satire is more pronounced. I can't help but compare the two.

"Ford, you're turning into a penguin. Stop it."

While I have read this multiple times, I just started my GOLiverse reads turn today. I'm going with the Stephen Fry audiobook this time. I like his narrating, but I think I prefer reading it the old fashioned way.

What the heck? you guys didn't read my email on the show? I sent it to the goliverse reads email account; should I have sent it to Geek Out Loud instead? Or am I blacklisted from the show because of how much Rod and Nicole hated Out of the Silent Planet?

Actually, I looked back and reread the email when I was checking to see if I had sent it in time, and it wasn't that great of an email. I wrote it over 2 different days, and had trouble organizing my thoughts. So all is forgiven. Carry on.

In all seriousness, though, the was great. Thanks to all who emailed in or called in. I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the book.