Douglas Adams
February 20th 2007 03:50
For a long time, this man has been considered one of the most highly regarded comic novellists that Britain has ever produced. But is this an accurate rating?
I can remember seeing the teleseries for Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and thinking "This must be one hilarious book." And it is. At least, the first two parts of it are absolutely hilarious. After that, he tends to get more than a little depressing. Arthur Dent's life takes repeated turns for the worst, repeatedly, with no justifiable (plot wise) basis. So, the hilarity of the book is undershadowed, constantly, with a sense of hopelessness, or at least, pointlessness. But the first two, are very funny. Also very funny is Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. A quirky kind of novel using science, philosophy and a comedically viable but self-destructive main character. I haven't finished it yet, but from what I have been reading of it, I think Mr Adams was thankful to be writing that rather than more about the Hitchhiker's Guide.
If however I compare another of Britain's most famous sci-fi comedy authors to him, the only fair comparison I can think of is Grant Naylor. Which is kind of unfair, considering that Grant Naylor is made up of two separate men. For which, I am thankful. After they wrote their novels and television series together they split. And like when any couple splits, it is the child that suffers the most. Red Dwarf when written by one of them is far too silly, but the other is far too macabre. But the combination of these two brits brings out a type of synergy that was perfect.
But are either of these two the funniest? Well, no. At least, not as far as I think. Personally, I would hand the baton to men like Terry Pratchett and GK Chesterton. Both are british (except in Mr Chesterton's case, where it is was british), both philosophical, amusing, poetic and very good writers indeed. They were also prolific authors, which I think is part of their genius. One of them used the world to write his reflections, and the other reflects the world in order to write.
Your thoughts?
JZ
I can remember seeing the teleseries for Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and thinking "This must be one hilarious book." And it is. At least, the first two parts of it are absolutely hilarious. After that, he tends to get more than a little depressing. Arthur Dent's life takes repeated turns for the worst, repeatedly, with no justifiable (plot wise) basis. So, the hilarity of the book is undershadowed, constantly, with a sense of hopelessness, or at least, pointlessness. But the first two, are very funny. Also very funny is Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. A quirky kind of novel using science, philosophy and a comedically viable but self-destructive main character. I haven't finished it yet, but from what I have been reading of it, I think Mr Adams was thankful to be writing that rather than more about the Hitchhiker's Guide.
If however I compare another of Britain's most famous sci-fi comedy authors to him, the only fair comparison I can think of is Grant Naylor. Which is kind of unfair, considering that Grant Naylor is made up of two separate men. For which, I am thankful. After they wrote their novels and television series together they split. And like when any couple splits, it is the child that suffers the most. Red Dwarf when written by one of them is far too silly, but the other is far too macabre. But the combination of these two brits brings out a type of synergy that was perfect.
But are either of these two the funniest? Well, no. At least, not as far as I think. Personally, I would hand the baton to men like Terry Pratchett and GK Chesterton. Both are british (except in Mr Chesterton's case, where it is was british), both philosophical, amusing, poetic and very good writers indeed. They were also prolific authors, which I think is part of their genius. One of them used the world to write his reflections, and the other reflects the world in order to write.
Your thoughts?
JZ
| 79 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Love the Grant Naylor stuff, too.
I'd have to say, though, after reading Wodehouse and seeing Private Lives, you can almost see the evolution of English humour.
Comment by Damo
Yet I must say Douglas Adams is genuinely funny.
Comment by JoshZ
Thanks for themention on your page. I now feel like I've "made it" on Orble. Woot!
Admittedly, I don't mind a touch of the rough when reading someone's writing. David Gemmel lacked alot of polish but could touch absolute heights of brilliance.
I think the main factor of Douglas Adams getting more and more depressing with his writing was that his life was getting more and more depressing. He said so himself.
I might have to read the stuff that you mentioned.
Thanks for dropping on by.
JZ
Comment by JoshZ
admittedly I liked the oldish kind of look of the show. I especially liked Marvin. He and Zaphod would be my favourite characters.
The movie sucked. It really, really sucked. Really.
Thanks for coming by man.
JZ
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Adams certainly lived an interesting life...I love the fact that he appeared in a Monty Python sketch, (I think it was 'The Flying Circus' series).
He was in...Episode 42.
As far as I'm concerned, the best thing DNA ever wrote was this;
Well...okay...so he's not British and from a completely different era but I've always thought of Joseph Heller's particular brand of humour as being rather British.
Hope you're well Josh...good to see you...hope that plate is slowly but surely clearing...
Dusk
Comment by JoshZ
Yes, what do you get when you times six by nine?
I like what Arthur said after that "I've always felt there was something fundamentally wrong with the universe."
Like I have said, comedians have the irritating habit of being very perceptive.
JZ