paranoid android

[Lucas]

I loved Marvin the Paranoid Android! :)

[Gary]

Putting the depressed robot,Marvin,in the story was brilliant even though he was a bit confusing. He was depressed because he was unappreciated but that would require an ego. Then again, he didn't seem to have an ego. Nonetheless he was the perfect comic foil for just about every other character except the Vogons. They didn't need one.

[Renae]

"Now I lay me down to sleep
Try to count electric sheep
Sweet dream wishes you can keep
How I hate the night"

Oh, Marvin.

[Kirby]

I loved him, too! I also really love the song!

[Jonathon]

I wonder if the rat is still in his leg?

Life. Don't talk to me about life...

[Rosamond]

After hearing Alan Rickman voice Marvin, this series is so much more fun to read.

[Kressel]

Rosamond wrote: "After hearing Alan Rickman voice Marvin, this series is so much more fun to read."

I got such a lesson out of that. The purpose of anger (voice of Snape) is to rally you to fight. Sadness (the voice of Marvin) is what you feel when you have to accept defeat, which has its purpose, as in all the defeated enemies lying down and saying, "What's the point?" Both negative emotions can be harnessed for the good, but we have to do it right. (And most of the time, we don't.)

[Paul]

Marvin is probably one of the best comedic creations of all time, in the science fiction world. Personally I don't think there is enough comedy in the science fiction genre, so the Hitch Hiker's series is all the more the special for not only standing out in its genre but clearly breaking into the mainstream.

Most of the characters are excellent, but I know a lot of people who aren't fans of sci-fi who like Marvin. That's quite an achievement.

[Jay]

I love the part where Arthur and the others go to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe and find Marvin there parking cars, after having waited for them there for millions of years.

“The first ten million years were the worst," said Marvin, "and the second ten million years, they were the worst too. The third ten million years I didn't enjoy at all. After that I went into a bit of a decline.”

[Kressel]

I heard that when Douglas Adams' mother read the book, she said Marvin was Eeyore, and though he hadn't intended it, he agreed that she must have been right.

[Robert]

I worked as a sound engineer on the original Hitch Hikers Guide radio series at the BBC in the 1980's (it might even have been '79!)
It was a radio show before it became a book. At the time we thought we were working on something incredibly special and so it turned out. The radio series is still available and I'd urge you to check it out. It's stood the test of time very well and look out for Peter Jones as the book - his performance has never been equaled!

[Summer]

Robert wrote: "I worked as a sound engineer on the original Hitch Hikers Guide radio series at the BBC in the 1980's (it might even have been '79!)
It was a radio show before it became a book. At the time we thou..."

That's so cool! Do you know where is the original available? My mum grew up with that version but can't find it anywhere.
Well, it was either that, or that she has the original and it was another radio version that she can't find....

[Robert]

Hi Summer
You can usually find CDs on ebay but they can be pretty expensive.
Rob

[Stephen]

I have them all recorded on ancient cassette tape... maybe I should get them converted. I remember hearing them when they were broadcast - something special, indeed.

[Philip]

Peter Jones as the original Book is the definitive guide. I loved the original radio series then the books. The BBC TV wasn't bad especially the chap who played Arthur - they had the dressing gown just right. The movie, well bits were OK, but.......

As for Marvin - well here I am brain the size of a planet....

[Scott]

Gary wrote: "Putting the depressed robot,Marvin,in the story was brilliant even though he was a bit confusing. He was depressed because he was unappreciated but that would require an ego. Then again, he didn't seem to have an ego."

Marvin had a huge ego! "Brain the size of a planet..."

[Ella]

Scott wrote: "Gary wrote: "Putting the depressed robot,Marvin,in the story was brilliant even though he was a bit confusing. He was depressed because he was unappreciated but that would require an ego. Then agai..."

I would say he was being realistic and factual, hot that he had an ego. The main character in Anthem by Ayn Rand had an ego, Marvin didn't.