Another Douglas Adams book where once again a million different pieces of story all fold together and leave the reader with a smile of "aha!" as they lay the book down and roll over to fall asleep at 3:30am.
Only they can't fall asleep because they are now reliving a section of Richard's life as he tumbles into an odd series of events that seem to have nothing in common. When he finds himself in the company of a fellow from his university days who was dismissed under questionable circumstances involving fore-knowledge of answers to an exam, things can only get more strange.
Is Dirk psychic, an eccentric who is misunderstood, or a complete fraud? And what of the professor who seems completely coherent one moment and a bumbling old man the next?
There are so many more questions that must be answered, and for the above and all the others, I simply recommend you find out for yourself.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Fairie Wars
An exciting tale of a young lad who finds himself in the company of a fairy after saving it from his employer's cat.
Of course, we all know fairies don't exist ... our main character, Henry, would agree ... save for the fact that he was holding one safely in a mason jar.
As he learns of parallel universes and other mysteries, he is forbidden by his parents to spend any additional time with his employer, Mr. Fogerty, who is an elderly man "with a past." Defying his parents' orders, he sneaks back to uncover a code he must unravel to join Mr. Fogerty in the Fairy World to help save them from all manner of evil.
After being a bit thrown early-on in the book by the strange affair Henry learns his mother is having with his father's secretary, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue reading the story. I'm glad I endured because the tale of the "Fairy World" that is spun is rather well done and quite a good read. Not sure why the author felt the need to begin the book the way he did, since it in no way lent to the story or advanced the plot other than for Henry to find himself miserable (which could have occurred for any number of reasons).
So, I warn of the above mentioned affair and also acknowledge that the evil portrayed in the book contains some nasty stuff (murderous plots and a few demons). This book is shelved in the "young adult" section of our store.
Of course, we all know fairies don't exist ... our main character, Henry, would agree ... save for the fact that he was holding one safely in a mason jar.
As he learns of parallel universes and other mysteries, he is forbidden by his parents to spend any additional time with his employer, Mr. Fogerty, who is an elderly man "with a past." Defying his parents' orders, he sneaks back to uncover a code he must unravel to join Mr. Fogerty in the Fairy World to help save them from all manner of evil.
After being a bit thrown early-on in the book by the strange affair Henry learns his mother is having with his father's secretary, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue reading the story. I'm glad I endured because the tale of the "Fairy World" that is spun is rather well done and quite a good read. Not sure why the author felt the need to begin the book the way he did, since it in no way lent to the story or advanced the plot other than for Henry to find himself miserable (which could have occurred for any number of reasons).
So, I warn of the above mentioned affair and also acknowledge that the evil portrayed in the book contains some nasty stuff (murderous plots and a few demons). This book is shelved in the "young adult" section of our store.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I purchased a lovely copy of the complete Hitchhiker's Series.
I just love these books. One of the few sets of books that I have read several times and always enjoy. Douglas Adams was just so odd and yet amazingly brilliant. The journeys with the absent minded Arthur Dent and his "alien" friend Ford Prefect are so rich with images that are almost beyond the reach of imagination, but not quite.
Perhaps the most spectacular to envision is the Restaurant at the end of the Universe. I oft wonder if he saw a swirl of paints floating in oil or if I, somehow, am the only one who pictures something like that while wondering what the restaurant goers are seeing as they gaze toward the "last glimpse of the heavens."
I'm always sad for many reasons when I finish the trilogy, and continue to long for someone to find alternate endings or additional books that Mr. Adams had hidden somewhere other than his mind.
Keep your towel handy!
I just love these books. One of the few sets of books that I have read several times and always enjoy. Douglas Adams was just so odd and yet amazingly brilliant. The journeys with the absent minded Arthur Dent and his "alien" friend Ford Prefect are so rich with images that are almost beyond the reach of imagination, but not quite.
Perhaps the most spectacular to envision is the Restaurant at the end of the Universe. I oft wonder if he saw a swirl of paints floating in oil or if I, somehow, am the only one who pictures something like that while wondering what the restaurant goers are seeing as they gaze toward the "last glimpse of the heavens."
I'm always sad for many reasons when I finish the trilogy, and continue to long for someone to find alternate endings or additional books that Mr. Adams had hidden somewhere other than his mind.
Keep your towel handy!
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