Douglass Adams - Page 2

Blackboar · 12-06-2002, 02:41 PM

The Salmon of Doubt!
I love that one!
I like how he tells a tale in it at the station with the newspaper
and biscuits. I loved reading that thinking "this happened to him?,
but it happened to Aurtur as well!"
I liked knowing that the story told in the book actually happned
to Douglas Adams!

Katt_knome_hobbit · 12-17-2002, 02:47 PM

I know! And I love that he says at the end: "I find it funny that some guy is walking around England with the exact same story, except he doesn't have the punch line." Ha ha.

Did you ever try to make the perfect cup of tea?

Dunadan · 12-18-2002, 05:28 AM

Yeah, it was a terrible shame he died so young. Those books are amongst the funniest, and cleverest, I've ever read.

I particularly like his take on technology. He had an artist's eye for impact and humour and a scientist's understanding.

The world needs more like him

cheers

d.

Coney · 12-18-2002, 11:12 AM

I recently read 'Don't Panic - The Life of Douglas Adams' by Neil Gaiman (e-book)..........it's quite good (Gaiman has written it in an almost Adamesque style)

.

Katt_knome_hobbit · 12-19-2002, 02:58 PM

It is too bad that Douglass Adams died so young.

I am of the personal opinion that Douglass Adams was spying on the government and he found out something that they didn't want him to know. It had something to do with Salmon of a Doubt. There is a secret in those few chapters he wrote before he died. Uncover the secret before they get you too!

I don't really belive that, but it's a nice thought.

Falagar · 12-19-2002, 06:53 PM

Can't decide, I love them all.

The Lady of Ithilien · 01-11-2003, 07:21 PM

Actually, The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul is my favorite.

The characters are terrific, and the idea of the homeless being gods out of a job because Odin had sold out and made Valhalla not worth believing in (that's not the exact quote, but it was a while ago and the book is not here): wow! And that whole business about the music industry, and the soulless, excuse me, "thoulleth" home with Dylan albums up through "Blood On the Tracks": loved it!

You're right, though; it doesn't all come together, but it is a worthy attempt.

I enjoyed the Hitchhiker series at first, but the tone seemed a bit smarmy at time, a la Terry Pratchett, and eventually drove me nuts and I gave away the set. In Long Dark Tea Time, Adams seemed to be overcoming that.

Katt_knome_hobbit · 01-14-2003, 07:22 PM

Teatime was very good. I didn't get it at first. It took me a couple readings before I understood it all.

cassiopeia · 01-21-2003, 01:33 AM

I just finished The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. I think I liked DGHDA the better of the two. I have to admit, I didn't completely understand all of TLDTTOTS. I think I am in love with Dirk Gently, even though he wears a funny hat.

He's just so cool.
Adams is a fantastic writer, I loved THGTTG series. I wish I could write how he did. I was shocked when he died.

I didn't realise there was another Dirk Gently novel, and I just found out the library has The Salmon of Doubt.

Katt_knome_hobbit · 01-21-2003, 02:45 PM

Did you know that Douglas hinted that "The Salmon of Doubt" was going to the sixth and final Hitchhiker book? Man, it would have been so cool if he had had time to finish it.

Blackboar · 01-21-2003, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Katt_knome_hobbit
Did you know that Douglas hinted that "The Salmon of Doubt" was going to the sixth and final Hitchhiker book? Man, it would have been so cool if he had had time to finish it.

Actually, when you read it it is a *Runs next door* Dirk Gently book, the last one in that series, Adams comented that he didn't like it as much because it was too much like the Hichhiker sries, he then changed it alot so it was different which is why he never finished it before he died!

Beleg Strongbow · 01-29-2003, 02:30 PM

He was a great author.

Wayfarer · 01-30-2003, 12:45 AM

He was funny, I don't know if I'd call him a great author. Defenitely one of the better contemporary authors, though.

Yapaluna · 02-07-2003, 07:02 PM

Did anybody read the book where D.A. visited some places on earth to see the most endangered species of animals? Especially the chapters of the Kakapo and the Komodo-Waran impressed me very much.

Unfortunately I lent this book to someone who didn´t give it back, and I even can´t remember who he was.

The Lady of Ithilien · 02-08-2003, 07:47 PM

Did Adams ever mention G. K. Chesterton as one of his influences?

I've only read one of Chesterton's "Father Brown" stories, The Blue Cross, and the way he has Valentin track the criminal reminds me a lot of Dirk Gently's "holistic" approach.

Quote:

In short, there is in life an element of elfin coincidence which people reckoning on the prosaic may perpetually miss. As it has been well expressed in the paradox of Poe, wisdom should reckon on the unforeseen....In such cases he reckoned on the unforeseen. In such cases, when he could not follow the train of the reasonable, he coldly and carefully followed the train of the unreasonable. Instead of going to the right places--banks, police stations, rendezvous-- he systematically went to the wrong places; knocked at every empty house, turned down every cul de sac, went up every lane blocked with rubbish, went round every crescent that led him uselessly out of the way. He defended this crazy course quite logically. He said that if one had a clue this was the worst way; but if one had no clue at all it was the best...

Of course, Chesterton misspelled "elven" because he had no Tolkien to guide him

I reread the story tonight online and it's even clearer. There's even one part that reminds me of Dirk's reason, in Teatime, for following Ms. Schechter's (? spelling) car (before he met her):

Quote:

Valentin smoked frowningly for a few seconds; then, removing his cigarette, he said: "If you know what a man's doing, get in front of him; but if you want to guess what he's doing, keep behind him. Stray when he strays; stop when he stops; travel as slowly as he. Then you may see what he saw and may act as he acted. All we can do is to keep our eyes skinned for a queer thing."

"What sort of queer thing do you mean?" asked the inspector.

"Any sort of queer thing," answered Valentin, and relapsed into obstinate silence.

ArwenEvenstar · 02-08-2003, 10:22 PM

right now i'm reading THGTTG, its really funny!

Human#3.141592653 · 02-20-2003, 10:46 PM

One thing's for sure, I'll never be cruel to a gin and tonic again!

***IronParrot*** · 02-26-2003, 01:34 AM

For those of you who have read HHGTTG and love it as I do, I can't possibly give anything less than a glowing recommendation for The Salmon of Doubt. I knew that Adams was a really witty guy, but it wasn't until I read his collected essays that I realized the guy was an absolute genius.

ArwenEvenstar · 03-08-2003, 10:47 PM

how do you make the perfect cup of tea?

im very uninformed what did Douglas Adams die from?

***IronParrot*** · 03-09-2003, 12:33 AM

I think he had a heart attack while he was working out in the gym one day...

12-17-2002, 02:47 PM	#22
Katt_knome_hobbit Dead Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: on the floor, under the table, just to your left, your other left Posts: 1,486	I know! And I love that he says at the end: "I find it funny that some guy is walking around England with the exact same story, except he doesn't have the punch line." Ha ha. Did you ever try to make the perfect cup of tea? __________________ How to Survive the Sillmarillion I thought that Alcohol was just for those with nothing else to do. I thought that drinking just to get drunk was a waste of precious booze. But now I know that there's a time and there's a place where I can choose To walk the fine line between self control and self abuse. "Lacerations make complications, but welts go away in a day."

12-18-2002, 11:12 AM	#24
Coney The Buddy Rabbit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Trapped in the headlights.. Posts: 3,372	I recently read 'Don't Panic - The Life of Douglas Adams' by Neil Gaiman (e-book)..........it's quite good (Gaiman has written it in an almost Adamesque style) . __________________ Blessed are the cracked, they let the light in Beatallica

12-19-2002, 02:58 PM	#25
Katt_knome_hobbit Dead Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: on the floor, under the table, just to your left, your other left Posts: 1,486	It is too bad that Douglass Adams died so young. I am of the personal opinion that Douglass Adams was spying on the government and he found out something that they didn't want him to know. It had something to do with Salmon of a Doubt. There is a secret in those few chapters he wrote before he died. Uncover the secret before they get you too! I don't really belive that, but it's a nice thought. __________________ How to Survive the Sillmarillion I thought that Alcohol was just for those with nothing else to do. I thought that drinking just to get drunk was a waste of precious booze. But now I know that there's a time and there's a place where I can choose To walk the fine line between self control and self abuse. "Lacerations make complications, but welts go away in a day."

12-19-2002, 06:53 PM	#26
Falagar Death of Mooters and [Entmoot] Internal Affairs Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 2,870	Can't decide, I love them all. __________________ Fëanor - Innocence incarnated Still, Aikanáro 'till the Last battle.

01-14-2003, 07:22 PM	#28
Katt_knome_hobbit Dead Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: on the floor, under the table, just to your left, your other left Posts: 1,486	Teatime was very good. I didn't get it at first. It took me a couple readings before I understood it all. __________________ How to Survive the Sillmarillion I thought that Alcohol was just for those with nothing else to do. I thought that drinking just to get drunk was a waste of precious booze. But now I know that there's a time and there's a place where I can choose To walk the fine line between self control and self abuse. "Lacerations make complications, but welts go away in a day."

12-06-2002, 02:41 PM	#21
Blackboar Legolas's beloved sister and Queen of the Wood Elves of Mirkwood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Under the hill at Bag-end, Hobbiton the Shire Or Rivendell,I can't remember!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 1,086	The Salmon of Doubt! I love that one! I like how he tells a tale in it at the station with the newspaper and biscuits. I loved reading that thinking "this happened to him?, but it happened to Aurtur as well!" I liked knowing that the story told in the book actually happned to Douglas Adams!

12-18-2002, 05:28 AM	#23
Dunadan The Quite Querulous Quendi Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oxon, UK Posts: 638	Yeah, it was a terrible shame he died so young. Those books are amongst the funniest, and cleverest, I've ever read. I particularly like his take on technology. He had an artist's eye for impact and humour and a scientist's understanding. The world needs more like him cheers d.

01-21-2003, 01:33 AM	#29
cassiopeia Viggoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 1,749	I just finished The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. I think I liked DGHDA the better of the two. I have to admit, I didn't completely understand all of TLDTTOTS. I think I am in love with Dirk Gently, even though he wears a funny hat. He's just so cool. Adams is a fantastic writer, I loved THGTTG series. I wish I could write how he did. I was shocked when he died. I didn't realise there was another Dirk Gently novel, and I just found out the library has The Salmon of Doubt. __________________ Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.

01-21-2003, 02:45 PM	#30
Katt_knome_hobbit Dead Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: on the floor, under the table, just to your left, your other left Posts: 1,486	Did you know that Douglas hinted that "The Salmon of Doubt" was going to the sixth and final Hitchhiker book? Man, it would have been so cool if he had had time to finish it. __________________ How to Survive the Sillmarillion I thought that Alcohol was just for those with nothing else to do. I thought that drinking just to get drunk was a waste of precious booze. But now I know that there's a time and there's a place where I can choose To walk the fine line between self control and self abuse. "Lacerations make complications, but welts go away in a day."

01-29-2003, 02:30 PM	#32
Beleg Strongbow Truest of Friends Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pennsylvania, but I have a vacation home in the Westfarthing. Posts: 520	He was a great author. __________________ "...Beleg Strongbow, truest of friends, greatest in skill of all that harboured in the woods of Beleriand in the Elder Days..." Aure Entuleva! John Kerry for President!

01-30-2003, 12:45 AM	#33
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	He was funny, I don't know if I'd call him a great author. Defenitely one of the better contemporary authors, though. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

02-07-2003, 07:02 PM	#34
Yapaluna Enting Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Druxberge (about 500 inhabitants) near Magdeburg Posts: 73	Did anybody read the book where D.A. visited some places on earth to see the most endangered species of animals? Especially the chapters of the Kakapo and the Komodo-Waran impressed me very much. Unfortunately I lent this book to someone who didn´t give it back, and I even can´t remember who he was.

02-08-2003, 10:22 PM	#36
ArwenEvenstar Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: and why do YOU want to know? Posts: 685	right now i'm reading THGTTG, its really funny! __________________ The only thing active about me is my imagination!

02-20-2003, 10:46 PM	#37
Human#3.141592653 Elven Warrior Join Date: May 2002 Location: Truth or Consequences, New Mexico Posts: 292	42 One thing's for sure, I'll never be cruel to a gin and tonic again! __________________ You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.

02-26-2003, 01:34 AM	#38
*IronParrot* Fowl Administrator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada Posts: 53,420	For those of you who have read HHGTTG and love it as I do, I can't possibly give anything less than a glowing recommendation for The Salmon of Doubt. I knew that Adams was a really witty guy, but it wasn't until I read his collected essays that I realized the guy was an absolute genius. __________________ All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien

03-08-2003, 10:47 PM	#39
ArwenEvenstar Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: and why do YOU want to know? Posts: 685	how do you make the perfect cup of tea? im very uninformed what did Douglas Adams die from? __________________ The only thing active about me is my imagination! Last edited by ArwenEvenstar : 03-08-2003 at 10:50 PM.

03-09-2003, 12:33 AM	#40
*IronParrot* Fowl Administrator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada Posts: 53,420	I think he had a heart attack while he was working out in the gym one day... __________________ All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien

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