"Dirk Gently" First Impressions *No Spoiler*

[[deleted user]]

Started reading?

Whatcha think of it so far?

Spoiler free, please :)

[[deleted user]]

So I'm about 10% in and while the typical Adams humor is there I have no idea what's going on.

[Michelle]

once upon a time back in grade school or so, i started reading The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul and found it so densely confusing that i gave up about 1/3 of the way through...when i found out it was a sequel. i have high hopes that this will somehow make more sense.

[Kevin]

This book was so confusing the first few times I read, but after a while I began to understand it, which made me enjoy the book a lot more. So I went on to read the sequel right after.

[♥Xeni♥]

I loved the second book a lot more than the first, but I still super adore this one!! I almost like it more than HHGTTG! (Except the first one of that series. Nothing beats Douglass on that!!)

I wont have time for a reread, sadly, but I will probably jump in to fun discussions here and there. Was this the book with the sofa?

[[deleted user]]

Yes, the mysteriously stuck sofa.

[Kate]

For years the stuck sofa was the only thing I could remember about this book, but I couldn't remember what book it was from.
It's such a relief to be able to be able to place it.

[♥Xeni♥]

It's definitely the part that stuck with me the longest too. And yet it's pretty insignificant until the end!

[K.V.]

It's been a long time since I read these (back when they first came out), but I remember liking The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul better than the first book. I thought it was more strongly structured, less wandering. I liked the aggravated heroine who finds herself having to deal with a rather disgruntled Thor, and the Asylum. (Or was the Asylum in Dirk Gently?) Some of the details have run together in my mind at this point. Must reread someday when I have time!

[[deleted user]]

I'm just shocked at how long it takes for the title character to actually show up in the book.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I'm about 24% in... and, um... yeah...

[Michelle]

5 chapters in, and it's rather peculiarly, relentlessly odd, no?

also, anyone else have the thoroughly cracked-out author pic on the back of their copy? I'm sure it was supposed to be likewise odd & quirky, but with the one visible eye balefully staring out of the mass of b&w melted flesh, it's more creepy/sad.

[Bob]

I'm 3/4 done and not impressed. I wasn't blown away by Hitchhiker's Guide either so I think it's just me.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I'm at chapter six and it is confusing. I've read the Hitchhiker series, which I adored. Right now, though, this feels like when I have three knitting projects at the same time.

[Margaret]

It is confusing. In fact, it's terrifically convoluted, which I find to be part of its charm.

[Ami]

I'm bored to death. I hope something happens soon.

[Kim]

My first impression is this is very familiar. So familiar I'm pretty sure I've read, or at least started, this before. But I can't remember ever picking it up...

[[deleted user]]

The Aimdoggg wrote: "I'm bored to death. I hope something happens soon."

Depends on your definition of "soon". :P

[♥Xeni♥]

Kim, my review was so good, that that's what you remember.

[Kim]

♥Xeni♥ wrote: "Kim, my review was so good, that that's what you remember."

Close but no cigar :P

[Peggy]

I've just requested this from the library. I'm pretty sure I've read it before, but I have no recollection of plot/characters, etc. This thread does remind me of the first time I picked up Hichhiker's Guide, back in the day. I had never heard of it, and just selected it at random at the bookstore because the title was so odd. I was completely enchanted - I had no idea science fiction could be so funny.

[Jenny]

I started reading this last night and I'm only about 40 pages in. I was surprised that I hadn't met Dirk yet, too. I think having read Hitchhiker first prepared me for this book to be all over the place, but again I'm not too far in yet so we'll see. I am enjoying it so far. I'm in the mood for something fun even if it ends up not making a whole lot of sense.

[Kevin]

Is anyone watching the series, it's very good but episode 2 with the AI was something really special.

[Chris]

I started this yesterday cuz I needed an audiobook for a few hours...I'm actually enjoying it. I don't like it quite as well as the HHG books, but it's still pretty cool.

[Jenny]

I'm about 100 pages in and I still haven't met Dirk, but the different characters are starting to come together to create an actual plot. I really like it.

[Veronika KaoruSaionji]

Weird. Not my cup of tea, I fear.

[Chris]

Where it's just weird enough to please me.

[Ami]

OK, I put this one aside for a few weeks and now I'm trying again. My mindset must be a bit more patient this time. It did take a while to get into and pull the story together, and there is some mild humor. I guess this is one I have to be in the right mood for.

[Jenny]

The last couple of days I've read a lot of this. I've really gotten into it.

[Sue]

Thank you, SFFBC, for hosting the Group Read and discussion of Dirk Gently! I (and my husband, who does not participate in Goodreads - yet! :) have been wanting to read more of the SF classics, and I'm enjoying following along with the SFFBC Group Reads for the last couple months in order to choose my SF reading list. During March, I only had time to read the first five chapters of "Dirk Gently", and I want to move on to "Blackout" at this point, but, "DG" is now on my shortlist of books to come back to and read in entirety. Thanks!

[Michael]

My first impression is easy to remember because I read the first chapter in a bookstore 26 years ago, and I immediately had to buy it. Starting it again and I am remembering why: the mysterious, noir opening setting; Adam's peculiar and comic choices of words ("a horrible pinkness, a sudden greenness, a lingering orangeness that stained the clouds..."); and that final sentence of Chapter 1, that tells you big events are afoot, but with tongue definitely in cheek:

"And time began seriously to pass."

[Edwin]

Seemingly disconnected, nonsensical and whimsical: magic in a tower, an obsolete android monk pondering philosophy on a horse in a pink (is it really?) desert, two men at an English college dinner, a professor of Chronology and a computer programmer specializing in making music from financial spreadsheets, this book has me hooked.

Where in the world are we going and how does all of this whacky stuff fit in? Compelling.

[Valerie]

Okay, I started this as an audiobook production, which is entertaining, but I definitely think this one may require actual reading.

So far from the audio, it appears that Adam's zany style is ever present. Hurrah!

[Jen]

It's one of my favourite books- I overdosed on Hitchhikers before I even really liked it- it came out when I was a teenager, and the tv series and book were only second to Monty Python in things that my peer group could beat into the ground. For some reason Dirk Gently grabbed me in a way that Hitchhikers didn't- I liked the characters more, and just found it a bit more enjoyable. The Electric Monk and his horse are two of my favourite fictional characters, I love the absurdity of it, and the way that the plot comes together. I'm not sure whether I like it or The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul more, but I think that Adams really hit his stride with them.

[Michael]

Edwin wrote: "Seemingly disconnected, nonsensical and whimsical: magic in a tower, an obsolete android monk pondering philosophy on a horse in a pink (is it really?) desert, two men at an English college dinner,..."

Yes, it is like he had 5 different book openings in mind and so just did one per chapter! I see from the earlier thread a lot of people thought that was confusing, and I suppose that's true, but I shared your reaction - where are all these compelling ideas going?!

[Michael]

Valerie wrote: "Okay, I started this as an audiobook production, which is entertaining, but I definitely think this one may require actual reading.

So far from the audio, it appears that Adam's zany style is ever..."

Did you find an audio narration, or the audio stage play-ish kind of thing? I had started the latter but that heightened the confusion for me so I switched back to the book.

[Valerie]

I had thought it was going to be the audio narration, but it is more a BBC audio production acting out the story.

I will finish the audio, but I've paused for now and I will revisit after I've read the actual book on my Kindle.

[Michael]

Valerie wrote: "I will finish the audio, but I've paused for now and I will revisit after I've r..."

That is my plan as well. I want to get the original version in my head before I see if the performance enhances or detracts from the book experience.

[Richard]

Well, the only work I have read by Mr. Adams is "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the.Galaxy," so I had at least an idea about what to expect. I was really hooked by the descriptive hues, the humorous descriptions, and the overall Adamsian style. I am 33% of the way done so far (Chapter 12 completed, on page 89), and so far Mr. Gently is one character for whom I am searching.

[Edwin]

Richard wrote: "I am 33% of the way done so far (Chapter 12 completed, on page 89), and so far Mr. Gently is one character for whom I am searching."

I am on page 129. (view spoiler)[He will pop up shortly, then disappear, then become a major character. And, as you will discover, he has already made an appearance. (hide spoiler)]

[Michael]

Richard wrote: "Well, the only work I have read by Mr. Adams is "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the.Galaxy," so I had at least an idea about what to expect. I was really hooked by the descriptive hues, the humorous des..."

Yes, it looks like Dirk becomes part of the cast at about (view spoiler)[50% through the book! It's not exactly world building, although perhaps Adams is building an air of mystery and enigma by not actually including Dirk in the book! (hide spoiler)]

Edited to put spoilerish comments behind tags.

[Penny]

I started this last night and so far it does have that weird and wonderful taste of Adams.

This is a no spoilers thread, but now I know from the posts since 27 Jan that (view spoiler)[ Dirk Gently doesn't appear for the first 100 odd pages and then disappears again (hide spoiler)]. Please either remove or spoiler tag your spoilers guys! If you'd like to start another thread for those who are re-reading this book go ahead, but please keep in mind that many of us are reading this for the first time.

[Edwin]

Penny wrote: "Please either remove or spoiler tag your spoilers guys! If you'd like to start another thread for those who are re-reading this book go ahead, but please keep in mind that many of us are reading this for the first time."

Sorry, I didn't realise I was giving away anything important. I modified the message.

Great book!

[Penny]

Edwin wrote: "Penny wrote: "Sorry, I didn't realise I was giving away anything important. I modified the message."

I haven't read it yet so I don't know if it was important :P Thanks for adding tags though!

[Edwin]

OK, I just finished, posted my thoughts and am looking forward to the new discussions in the Finished Reading *Spoilers* section.

[Michael]

One thought I had while reading was how adept Adams is at lush descriptions, even though he is primarily known for his humor. The whole first chapter was very descriptive, and there were a lot of little snippets like this one in Chapter 4...

"Between them scurried figures, hurrying from one dim pool of light to another, shivering, leaving wraiths of breath which folded themselves into the cold night behind them."

...that for some reason really take my breath away (no pun intended!). His humor and his descriptions both seem to have the sense of careful choreography.

[Scott]

Just finished this one, later comer to this thread, and had not read an adams book since my last hitchhikers guide book over ten years ago...it was fun, good read.

[Bobby]

This is the group re-read, but it's the first read for me. I've been wanting to read it for a while. I'm about 25% in, and the best description I can give for it is delightfully weird.

It's a little bit convoluted so far, but I'm enjoying the oddness, and things are starting to come together.

[Beth]

I'm also most of the way through. I'll probably end up sticking with my previous 4 star rating (this is a reread for me). I'm enjoying it though.

One of my favorite quotes:
"So you see, the major difference between someone of my age and someone of yours is not how much I know, but how much I’ve forgotten. And after a while you even forget what it is you’ve forgotten, and after that you even forget there was something to remember. Then you tend to forget, er, whatever it was you were talking about."

[B.]

Kevin wrote: "Is anyone watching the series, it's very good but episode 2 with the AI was something really special."

I'd been wanting to read the series for ages when the show came out. I've seen seasons one and two and still not read the books yet XD.

I need more hours in my day! I loved the netflix series though!