Eoin Colfer to write new "Hitchhiker" book

[JeffElkins]

Nero Wolfe, James Bond, Peter Wimsey et al. were unique creations. We are not talking Star Trek/Star Wars material that were movie/television novelizations of screenplays to begin with. Screenplays are (usually) by nature a product of a hive mind in the first place.

And BTW, the James Bond of the novels is a totally different creature from the movies.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JeffElkins

We are not talking Star Trek/Star Wars material that were movie/television novelizations of screenplays to begin with. Screenplays are (usually) by nature a product of a hive mind in the first place.

While there are novelizations of the Trek movies, there are over 600 original Star Trek novels written. Yes, the characters and universe is established but the stories are still new and original.

BOb

[HarryT]

Nobody who dislikes the idea is forced to read it. I'm sure, however, that there are many people who will welcome new stories set in the "universe" which Mr. Adams created.

[HarryT]

More information in this press release from Penguin:

NUMBER-ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR EOIN COLFER IS CHOSEN TO WRITE THE SIXTH HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

London, 17 September 2008… Penguin announced today that it is to publish the sixth novel in the ever-more increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy. Eight years after the tragically early death of its creator, Douglas Adams, widow Jane Belson has sanctioned the project to be written by the international number-one bestselling children's writer, Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl novels. The new book is entitled "And Another Thing..." and will be published in hardback by Penguin in October 2009. The deal was done with Sophie Hicks and Ed Victor of Ed Victor Ltd., agents for both Colfer and the Douglas Adams estate.

Douglas Adams himself said in an interview: 'I suspect at some point in the future I will write a sixth Hitchhiker book … I would love to finish Hitchhiker on a slightly more upbeat note. Five seems to be a wrong kind of number, six is a better kind of number.' *

Jane Belson, the widow of Douglas Adams said, 'I am delighted that Eoin Colfer has agreed to continue the Hitchhiker series. I love his books and could not think of a better person to transport Arthur, Zaphod and Marvin to pastures new. The project has my full support.'

Eoin Colfer has introduced a new generation of readers to the absurdities of life, the universe and everything through his bestselling Artemis Fowl series, in which a teenage criminal mastermind wreaks havoc in this world, the next and any others that happen to be nearby. The Sunday Times has said, 'Colfer has the ability to make you laugh twice over: first in sheer subversive joy at the inventiveness of the writing, and again at the energy of the humour.'

Colfer has been a fan of Hitchhiker since his schooldays and said, 'Being given the chance to write this book is like suddenly being offered the superpower of your choice. For years I have been finishing this incredible story in my head and now I have the opportunity to do it in the real world. It is a gift from the gods. So, thank you Thor and Odin.'

Penguin Managing Director, Helen Fraser commented, 'In 1992 I was lucky enough to be involved in the publication of Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams's last brilliant volume of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. He was an extraordinary writer, with an ability to come at the reader from the most unexpected angles, knock them off balance and make them laugh at the same time. Eoin Colfer is an inspired choice as Douglas's successor. Eoin burst on the world in 2001 with his incredibly popular Artemis Fowl series, which is beloved by readers of all ages. He is a huge talent and a fantastically funny writer, and this new book will bring as many new young readers to Douglas Adams's work as it will introduce adults to the brilliance of Eoin Colfer.'

[JSWolf]

What about int he case of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series? Since he has died, we are left with a rather long series that is unfinished. If someone else doesn't take up the mantle and finish it, then it will never be finished and not worth ever bothering with. So in order to finish the series, we need another author to do so.

Just because the new HHGTTG book is to be written by someone else doesn't mean it won't be good. I've read all the HHGTTG books and found So long and thanks for all the Fish to be lacking. Yes it was written by Douglas Adams, but it wasn't all that good. Even the original author can write books in a given series that are not as good as other books in the same series. So why not give this new book a break until you've either read it or read reviews?

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

While there are novelizations of the Trek movies, there are over 600 original Star Trek novels written. Yes, the characters and universe is established but the stories are still new and original.

BOb

Granted. But those characters and that universe were from the beginning a playground for many writers. Roddenberry made it a point to bring in established SF writers. That's a different situation from a Nero Wolfe or a Hercule Poirot, the creations of a single mind.

[JSWolf]

Not all Star trek books are wonderful and on target with the main characters. That's part of the problem with multiple writers. However, the editors at the publishing company can tell the author of this and have the author go back and fix things so the characterizations are true to the characters. But there have been a number of series continued by someone else. Some work, some don't. The only way to know if this will work is to wait untill the book is out.

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But there have been a number of series continued by someone else. Some work, some don't. The only way to know if this will work is to wait untill the book is out.

I still stand by my main point. There's a real difference between a character (or series) that is the product of an individual and one that is the product of a collective.

If the product is of any depth and has been wholly the product of a single mind, it can't help but change if others take it over. And in my experience, usually for the worse.

[JSWolf]

The Bourne series has been taken over by someone other then Robert Ludlum and the new books do seem to be selling quite well. Not having read Any of the Bourne books, I cannot comment if the new ones are any good or not. But obviously other people seems to think they are good.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by JeffElkins

I still stand by my main point. There's a real difference between a character (or series) that is the product of an individual and one that is the product of a collective.

If the product is of any depth and has been wholly the product of a single mind, it can't help but change if others take it over. And in my experience, usually for the worse.

that has been my experience as well.

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

that has been my experience as well.

What series are you two classing as in that experience.

I enjoyed the new bond books(different but still enjoyable)

The third in David Gemmels Troy trilogy(Its written by his wife)

Thieves world series is good.

Also been happy with the new books in the Dune series.

I enjoyed all of those and multiple author series such as Star trek and star wars(admittedly they are a very different case I guess).

So whilst Im not going to pre order it just yet Im certainly looking forward to it.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by stustaff

What series are you two classing as in that experience.

as i said in my first post, my most recent experience was with the continuation of the Lord Peter Wimsey series originally by Dorothy L. Sayers, and before that i believe there was an Agatha Christie book that had been "finished" by someone else after her death... and a couple of others, although honestly i can't recall now which ones.

i will definitely give this one a chance, and i really *want* to like it, but i admit my feelings are mixed.

[Sparrow]

I always think the true HHGTTG is the radio series.

The books, TV series, film, plays, games, comics etc are fine - but they're not the genuine article imho.

I don't have a problem with a new book. Although I would have thought someone like Terry Jones (ex Python member) would have been a better choice for author.
It can sometimes work out well, there have been some recent Sherlock Holmes stories that bettered much of Conan Doyle's output - not ACD's fault, he was writing at the start of detective fiction, it's a much more sophisticated genre these days.

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by stustaff

What series are you two classing as in that experience.

In addition to the series Zelda mentioned, I'd add the Nero Wolfe mysteries by Rex Stout and the Dune continuations by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.


I haven't read it yet, but I'm looking askance at Variable Star, by Spider Robinson and "Robert A. Heinlein," actually written by Robinson, based on a partial draft by Heinlein. I admit I'll be starting it with a certain amount of bias.

[tirsales]

Originally Posted by HarryT

He is the ideal choice. I don't know if you've read the "Artemis Fowl" books? They are very "Douglas Adams-esque" humour.

I like the way Colfer writes Fantasy - not Adams-SciFi, because he has never before written Adams-SciFi or even Adams-style. I like "Artemis Fowl" - but it is in no way comparable to the Hitchhiker.
Neither in its humor nor in its language (not necesserily in a bad way, but nevertheless) nor in anything else.
Its a different genre, its a different style, its ... everything really!
The hitchhiker was new and brilliant and .. the hitchhiker.
Perhaps a good author could write a good book in the hitchhiker-universe - but never a new hitchhiker-book.

I loved the hitchhiker - but I do feel very bad about this news. Its like reading "xy author is writing a new LOTR-book".
(And I admit that I am a Doug Adams fan. "Last chance to see" is one of the best books I have ever read).