Got my copy of And Another Thing ... today. Can't wait!

Alycia wrote: "Just found out that Eoin Colfer has been tapped to write the 6th book of the trilogy. And Another Thing... is due to be released in October."

I have pre=ordered it!

Alycia wrote: "Just found out that Eoin Colfer has been tapped to write the 6th book of the trilogy. And Another Thing... is due to be released in October."

LOL! That should be a fun read. Thanks for letting me know. I'll be watching for this book now.

Just found out that Eoin Colfer has been tapped to write the 6th book of the trilogy. And Another Thing... is due to be released in October.

Now I can get in the hype and what it's all about. For a young guy like me, I have heard/known of the Hitchiker's Guide through this site. Luckily last Sunday I managed to find an omnibus edition of this book. Now if I could only start reading this...

OK, I'm one of those people who believe you should always read the book first. LOTR, Hitchhiker's and most other films are never going to replace the movie running in my own head. I'm a much better film maker in my imagination. Adams is a fabulous writer with that quirky British humor to make him a gem. Pratchett is the only other writer I can think of with the same style...only slightly less bizarre.
Having said that, however, I do have to say the exception to that is "Last of the Mohicans." I'm with Twain, Cooper should have been drowned at birth. Skip the book, see the movie.

Sara wrote: "Which is further evidence to support my theory that you should ALWAYS see the movie first."Jessica wrote:So it the movie worth watching? I've never seen it and I love the book so much I've been afraid to see it.
The movie isn't bad, its reasonable in its own rights. But I think movies tend to lose a lot of the atmosphere and emotions that are more easily conveyed through books (For example, you can't see exactly whats going on in their heads, or how scenes are described (with some exceptions thanks to the narration))and so I prefer reading books first before seeing the movie. That way, once you get to the movie, you can better understand the reasonings, actions and the emotions behind each scene.
When it comes to Douglas Adams, a big part of enjoying his books is the style in which he writes and the humour and wit in the descriptions and the story. In relying mostly on dialogue and visuals, even with some of the narration, the movie misses a lot of that. While the Hitchhikers movie wasn't bad and I did enjoy it, I think they 'kiddyfied' it a bit and I know people who thought the movie was stupid for that reason. Its sad to think that they may not pick the books up based on one movie adaptation.

Well, I guess that means his animators have done their job :)

Jill wrote: "Sara wrote: "Oh, I know they couldn't. You're absolutely right--he's a central character.... but I hated every second he was on the screen."

I'm very sorry to hear that. Golem is one of my favorite characters. If nothing else, doesn't his acceptance for best virtual performance on the MTV Movie Awards warm your heart a little?"

Errrmmm.... No. Not so much. I cringe every time I see him... shudder any time someone imitates his voice... *shakes her head* He grosses me out to an extreme.

Jill wrote:
See, I was exactly the opposite. The first time I saw Minas Tirith in Return of the King, I started crying, turned to my best friend, blubbered that it looked exactly like I'd always imagined, and proceeded to cry for the rest of the film. No joke.

Agreed! I think that's why I love these movies. For the MOST part (except for a few notable things, like the portrayal of Faramir) I don't think my imagination could have gotten it better. Ian McKellan was my Gandalf to a T.

Jill wrote: See, I was exactly the opposite. The first time I saw Minas Tirith in Return of the King, I started crying, turned to my best friend, blubbered that it looked exactly like I'd always imagined, and proceeded to cry for the rest of the film. No joke.
..."

I never managed to wade more than half way through the LotR trilogy in book form. I'm not that 'into' fantasy.

But I agree with Jill, although it didn't make me cry,
throughout the film I had a feeling similar to deja vu as if Peter Jackson, and the CGI wizards, had consulted my imagination as to how certain things should look.

Susanna wrote: "I am a big fan of LOTR the books.

The movies; not so much. Saw Fellowship of the Ring; couldn't be bothered to watch the other two.

I think because it's just not the Middle Earth I've had in m..."

See, I was exactly the opposite. The first time I saw Minas Tirith in Return of the King, I started crying, turned to my best friend, blubbered that it looked exactly like I'd always imagined, and proceeded to cry for the rest of the film. No joke.

Sara wrote: "Oh, I know they couldn't. You're absolutely right--he's a central character.... but I hated every second he was on the screen."

I'm very sorry to hear that. Golem is one of my favorite characters. If nothing else, doesn't his acceptance for best virtual performance on the MTV Movie Awards warm your heart a little?

MTV Movie Awards clip: http://www.theonering.net/scrapbook/view...

Oh, I know they couldn't. You're absolutely right--he's a central character.... but I hated every second he was on the screen.

I am a big fan of LOTR the books.

The movies; not so much. Saw Fellowship of the Ring; couldn't be bothered to watch the other two.

I think because it's just not the Middle Earth I've had in my head since I was ten.

Golem was an essential component of LOTR. They couldn't cut him out. He represents the power of the ring to destroy everything it touches. The only part of the book that they could cut out, they did. Namely Tom Bombadil.

I've never read the books, so I couldn't say. (My husband REALLY loves both the movies and the books.) The movies were cool enough... I'd probably really like them if they could have found a way to cut Golem completely out--he gives me the heebie-jeebies! *shudders* (The first 10 minutes of the 3rd movie... too disturbing for me, thanks!)

LoTR is just........ not my style. Personal preference. I'm not against fantasy altogether... but I prefer other genres. I have to be in the mood to pick up a fantasy novel or watch a fantasy movie.

Sci-fi on the other hand... I love me some sci-fi. I'm a HUGE Star Trek geek. The new movie was AWESOME! And (getting back to the topic), I really need to read Hitchhiker's books 3-5.... Have you heard that Eoin Colfer is writing a book 6?? (Because a trilogy totally needs more than 5 books in it, right?)

It's funny, the LOTR movies are one of the very few movie adaptations of a book that I like. I guess it's to each their own :)

I won't be swayed... (SORRY!) My sister's feelings about Ella Enchanted won't allow me to. (Don't mention the title in her presence, please!)

I suppose there are some movies that are so awful they'd make a person avoid a book, but for the most part, if the movie is good, I'll read the book and then be wow'd. (Two thumbs up--one for the movie, one for the book.) If it's not *coughLoTRcough* I won't. (Not that the movies weren't awesome, they were just... ENOUGH. 9+ hours of it was enough to fill my Tolkien quota for LIFE.)

But then I don't care SO much if I'm influenced by what I saw in the movie. I generally don't picture anything REALLY specifically when I'm reading a book. I'm more concerned with the way a book feels than what things look like. It's just that if I think the book is really awesome ahead of time, my expectations are too high for the movie... and then disappointment (One thumb up for the book, one thumb down for the movie...) I'd rather have an overall positive experience, rather than a sweet-and-sour one...

Sara wrote: "Which is further evidence to support my theory that you should ALWAYS see the movie first."

I think the opposite. I think if you watch the movie first you are seeing the director's interpretation of what everything looks like, the characters and what is/isn't important to the story. This is bound to inform a subsequent reading of the book.

If you read the book first, then it is you that interprets the characters, clothes them, sees the surroundings through your mind's eye and the action is as the author intended it to be read rather than how a director could see it visually.

That said, I saw the tv series first! Loved it. Then I read all the books. Loved them. Then I saw the movie. Went to sleep (it was on a plane). Boring

I think my "list" would consist of To Kill a Mockingbird.

It think its best to read the book first. This way your interpretation of the book isn't tarnished. I remember reading a book where I always imagined the main character to look completely different than described and I think thats my right as a reader. I just think its very important to approach a movie as a completely different animal. Of course its going to let down but technically its usually not the same story.

I think the only book I've ever read where the movie was better was Shawshank Redemption. While Stephen King's writing was absolutely beautiful there were sections of the book that I don't think I would have understood had I not seen the movie before I read the book.

Yes, but they always butcher movies of books, and it's hard to enjoy the movie after you've read the book, which is always better.

You're right though. It's hard to picture Mia Thermopolis (for example) as anything but Anne Hathaway, when she's actually supposed to be lanky, flat-chested, and have short blonde hair... And don't get me started on her grandmother and how they DISNEY-FIED her... (Oh, Disney!)

Really? I have a hard time reading a book if I've already seen the movie. I guess I feel like it constricts my imagination.

Which is further evidence to support my theory that you should ALWAYS see the movie first.

Jessica wrote: "Tany wrote: "Before even realize there was a book I watched the movie and I really like. I found the movie really interesting considering I didn't read the book but than I bought the first two and ..."

I thought the movie was outstanding. Its hilarious.I haven't read the book yet so I can't say if its better or worse but the movie was definately worth the watch. Especially the yarn part. :)

It was all right. They combined elements from later books (according to my husband), so, having only read the first book at that time, I was a bit perplexed...

Tany wrote: "Before even realize there was a book I watched the movie and I really like. I found the movie really interesting considering I didn't read the book but than I bought the first two and loved it. I s..."

So it the movie worth watching? I've never seen it and I love the book so much I've been afraid to see it.

I recently found a copy , many years old, in my garage in a box of books still unpacked from a move!
Happy summer reading
Sharon

Before even realize there was a book I watched the movie and I really like. I found the movie really interesting considering I didn't read the book but than I bought the first two and loved it. I still haven't heart the others but I already bought them. It's just so addicting and yes, I'm reading little by little because I want to experiment the first time reading really slowly.

saranicole wrote: "I got Rock Band for my birthday in November... So now I get to sing and play the drums, too! PLUS, the guitar parts are generally easier on Rock Band, so I can finally play on hard! I thought add..."

My 50+ year old girlfriend got a blister from playing her 30+ year old's Rock Band Christmas gift !!

I will admit that I absolutely love the depressed robot. Great character.

saranicole wrote: "I've only read the first two books. Loved them both. I love the part in the second about verb tenses while time-traveling. I about DIED laughing. (That's not really a spoiler...)"

I liked the "Dish of the Day." :) (Also not a spoiler.)

I've only read the first two books. Loved them both. I love the part in the second about verb tenses while time-traveling. I about DIED laughing. (That's not really a spoiler...)

Christina wrote: "I'm almost done with it and so far I just don't really understand what the big deal is. It's humorous and entertaining but I just don't get it so far - maybe I need to finish it?

My question is..."

Usually I would recommend reading the sequels. But if you are not much into it after finishing the first book, I doubt if sequels will change your mind about it. I was hooked from the first book itself.

I do recommend the sequels. The first is mostly set up, but I remember loving at first sight, so maybe they just aren't really for you.

I'm almost done with it and so far I just don't really understand what the big deal is. It's humorous and entertaining but I just don't get it so far - maybe I need to finish it?

My question is do other people recommend reading the sequels?

I got Rock Band for my birthday in November... So now I get to sing and play the drums, too! PLUS, the guitar parts are generally easier on Rock Band, so I can finally play on hard! I thought adding in the blue button was hard when I went from Easy to Medium, but adding the orange button is just crazy! You have to start shifting your hand around.... Not easy!

BUT, I'm glad you're having a laugh-out-loud experience! The book is just so random!

saranicole wrote: "That's not bad. I was at a stop light one time, and a song I love to play on Guitar Hero came on... I got caught air-guitaring... :)

Of course, I sing in the car on a regular basis, so I'm no..."

That's hysterical - you sound just like my daughter, Jess, she's a guitar hero JUNKIE !! It is all we heard for her entire winter break. I even got hooked (on the easiest level) :)

That's not bad. I was at a stop light one time, and a song I love to play on Guitar Hero came on... I got caught air-guitaring... :)

Of course, I sing in the car on a regular basis, so I'm not as embarrassable (is that a word?) as some people might be....

saranicole wrote: "Amy wrote: "I'm not quite sure how to assimilate this...I have been listening to the audiobook for a day or so and though I adore the narrator's voice and character intonations, I am thinking I nee..."
It's beginning to feel like Monty Python meets Jim Carey's The Grinch. I'm laughing out loud at red lights and getting stared at - not so bad, getting stared at !!!

Amy wrote: "I'm not quite sure how to assimilate this...I have been listening to the audiobook for a day or so and though I adore the narrator's voice and character intonations, I am thinking I need to just let go and ride with it. How do others approach Science Fiction? and a classic, no less."

Hitchhiker's isn't what I'd call a "hardcore" sci-fi book. It's a sci-fi comedy! So yes--let go and ride with it! It's not a classic in a great-American-novel way... It's classically hilarious!

I listened to the audiobook, and I LOVED the voice the narrator did for Zaphod! SO funny!!

I'm not quite sure how to assimilate this...I have been listening to the audiobook for a day or so and though I adore the narrator's voice and character intonations, I am thinking I need to just let go and ride with it. How do others approach Science Fiction? and a classic, no less.

So do you have a favorite character? I love Marvin of course, and Zaphod is a complete hoot. I never liked Trillian that much - and both the BBC series and the movie did not do a good job with her either

I haven't gotten to "42" yet. I think that Adams is a comic genius. So far, it is absolutely hysterical.

Just finished Shadow and started this yesterday. This man is ridiculous! I love it and can't wait to get further into the story.

Another thing I love about these books are the guide entries. If there really were sych a book it would be incredible useful. But the way the entries are written are just plain fun

WE we lauging a lot!

Terri wrote: "I was lucky enough to Meet him before he died, hear him read from both So Long, and Thanks for all the fish and Last chance to see. Very fun! "

wow. That must have been fun. I would have loved to hear Adams read from his books.

Clara wrote: "I loved this and thought it was really hilarious. Definitely worth the read if you have even the slightest sense of humour! My only regret is that I waited until now to read it."

For what it's worth, I'm a bit jealous of you. You still have the rest of the series to look forward to. You only get to read these books for the first time once. It's fun to re-read them and find things that you missed the first time 'round, but it's never quite like reading it and enjoying those surprised guffaws upon reading a particularly hilarious sentence for the first time. :)