There is a long tradition of Great Detectives and Dirk Gently does not belong to it. But his search for a missing cat uncovers a ghost, a time-traveller, AND the devastating secret of humankind! (back cover)
There is a long tradition of Great Detectives and Dirk Gently does not belong to it. But his search for a missing cat uncovers a ghost, a time-traveller, AND the devastating secret of humankind!
(back cover)
Content warning
Mild Spoiler about the story's origin
This was fun. Once I found out, that the storyline was derived from a Doctor Who Episode Adams had written, I couldn't get the fact off my mind again. Nevertheless, it's a very accomplished storyline, perhaps a bit too complex an fast-paced in the end, because when I had finished it, I wasn't able to tie up all the loose ends without consulting a summary. A book you best read twice.
Review of "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Saw the TV show come by, and shrugs while I rather like the TV show on its own merits, the book is a different beast entirely - and an excellent read, ideally before watching the show.
Or: Somewhat less manic than THHGTG, but very rewarding, and really well constructed.
Review of "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I'd wanted to read this one for a long time. Enjoyable, if not as effervescent and sublimely funny as the first few Hitchhiker books. I will say that it struck me as very odd that Douglas "Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe there are fairies at the bottom of it too" Adams would be trucking with ghosts, and I expected him to really skewer the "holistic" end of things as well... but there you have it. Having most of the story set in the ordinary humdrum world, aside from the flashes of... well... other stuff... was a bit of a disappointment as well- it made things much more serious for me, which wasn't really what one picks up Adams for. Or perhaps I should say that the balance of funny and serious leaned much more heavily to serious here than I would …
I'd wanted to read this one for a long time. Enjoyable, if not as effervescent and sublimely funny as the first few Hitchhiker books. I will say that it struck me as very odd that Douglas "Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe there are fairies at the bottom of it too" Adams would be trucking with ghosts, and I expected him to really skewer the "holistic" end of things as well... but there you have it. Having most of the story set in the ordinary humdrum world, aside from the flashes of... well... other stuff... was a bit of a disappointment as well- it made things much more serious for me, which wasn't really what one picks up Adams for. Or perhaps I should say that the balance of funny and serious leaned much more heavily to serious here than I would have expected for something other than "Last Chance to See." I will also say that it annoyed me quite a lot that there's only one female character of consequence, and especially to have her role be to nag her boyfriend, one of the protagonists, about his childish and inconsiderate behavior... but take him back unquestioningly, especially when he all but abandons her after a truly traumatic loss! The other female characters are a little girl and someone so inconsequential she can't even get her boss to notice she's quit. It made me want to go back to the Hitchhiker series and see if there are any female characters at all aside from Trillian (again, whose role is mostly to be desirable and also to nag and suffer through the male characters' antics) and the girl Arthur ends up with. Oh, and the daughter, I suppose. I guess everyone in Adams books is either a bit of a putz or a nag... but still.
With all of that said, this really was enjoyable at times- that sparkling humor and unmistakable eye for the absurd that made me love his other work is still here, and I truly and longingly wish he had been around longer to work out some of the kinks.
Review of "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I love Douglas Adams. And even though I think the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is among the best books I've read, I find this one equally good, but at the same time a bit closer to my heart. I'm not sure why.
I love Douglas Adams. And even though I think the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is among the best books I've read, I find this one equally good, but at the same time a bit closer to my heart. I'm not sure why.
Review of "L'investigatore olistico Dirk Gently" on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
È Douglas Adams, c'è poco da aggiungere. L'investigatore Dirk Gently è uno dei personaggi del suo mondo e non rimarrete certamente delusi, anche se questa non è la Guida.
È Douglas Adams, c'è poco da aggiungere. L'investigatore Dirk Gently è uno dei personaggi del suo mondo e non rimarrete certamente delusi, anche se questa non è la Guida.
Review of "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I just finished re-reading this; I usually read it about once a decade or so. The Dirk Gently books are by far the best works of Adams, though I love all of them. Just Dirk Gently more.
I just finished re-reading this; I usually read it about once a decade or so. The Dirk Gently books are by far the best works of Adams, though I love all of them. Just Dirk Gently more.
