Publisher: Preface Publishing
SYNOPSIS:
As a wise ape once observed, space is big - vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly so. However, if you look too closely at space, it becomes nothing but lumps of rock and sundry gases. Sometimes it's necessary to take a step back, and let a few billion years go by, before any of the true wonder and scope of the cosmos becomes apparent. Similarly, the late 20th century author, humorist and thinker Douglas Adams was big - vastly, hugely and thoroughly mind-bogglingly so, both in physical terms, and as a writer who has touched millions of readers, firing up millions of cerebellums all over planet Earth, for over 35 years - and for nearly half of that time, he hasn't even been alive. It would be ridiculous to pretend that Douglas Adams' life and work has gone unexamined since his dismayingly early death at 49 but throughout the decade since the last book to tackle the subject, the universes Adams created have continued to develop, to beguile and expand minds, and will undoubtedly do so for generations to come. An all-new approach to the most celebrated creation of Douglas Adams is therefore most welcome, and The Frood tells the story of Adams' explosive but agonizingly constructed fictional universe, from his initial inspirations to the posthumous sequel(s) and adaptations, bringing together a thousand tales of life as part of the British Comedy movements of the late 70s and 80s along the way. With the benefit of hindsight and much time passed, friends and colleagues have been interviewed for a fresh take on the man and his works.
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of the Douglas Adam’s Hitch-Hiker books, I was more than interested in getting to know the man/mind behind the warped humour. What this biography brings is a frank and honest look at this cracking author. Its easy to read, doesn’t feel like just an infodump and when added to a writing style that really helps you get to the heart of the matter all round makes this a great book to pick up for Douglas fans.
Publisher: William Heinemann
SYNOPSIS:
This is introduced by Richard Dawkins and Nick Harkaway. First a legendary radio series, then a sequence of bestselling books, and most recently a blockbuster movie, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the greatest fictional enterprises of the twentieth century. Reissued in time for the first novel's thirty-fifth anniversary, this hardback omnibus edition includes all five parts of the trilogy, along with a wealth of extra material prefaced and contextualised by Jem Roberts, the official biographer of Douglas Adams, to complete the canon. This unique hardback edition is indispensable for any would-be galactic traveller, and a must-read for all Douglas Adams fans.
REVIEW:
Ah, the almost complete guide to the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy titles and one that is put together in a cracking value compendium in a top notch cloth bound singular volume. It a great find (almost as good as an Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster) and is something that will definitely add that special item to fans collections.
As most people reading this will already know (as probably like me they own multiple copies of the books) the writing it snappy, has cracking humour and is presented in such as a way that readers will believe that the bizarre universe could actually exist as there is a sense of logic within. Add to thi the fact that it’s a true British classic and what else can you ask for to keep the Sci-Fi Reader happy during the busy holiday season. Cracking.
