FREE/BARGAIN — Science Fiction & Fantasy

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by salty-horse

I'll counter the likewarmness with a recommendation. It's fine, funny, and a classic for a reason. Maybe don't go in expecting a propulsive plot, or much logic to it, but you have to admit it starts out with the biggest bang possible.

Yeah. For me, it's been a better book to know about than to read. Yet it is a massively popular book for a reason. I don't begrudge those who enjoy something I fail to spark to.

[Hollow Man]

It's phenom, and worth reading them all, even if they keep sliding in quality (books 2 and 3 not so much, but 4 is definitely a step down).

[maddz]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

It's phenom, and worth reading them all, even if they keep sliding in quality (books 2 and 3 not so much, but 4 is definitely a step down).

And avoid the Catheryne Valente riff on HHGTTG crossed with the Eurovision Song Contest like the plague.

[ZodWallop]

Incidentally, looks like Hulu is adapting it as a series: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hulu)

I don't think the book is suited for a big budget, slick adaptation. I knew the movie would bomb before I'd seen any clips from it. The radio and cheesy BBC series were likely the best versions.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Incidentally, looks like Hulu is adapting it as a series: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hulu)

I don't think the book is suited for a big budget, slick adaptation. I knew the movie would bomb before I'd seen any clips from it. The radio and cheesy BBC series were likely the best versions.

The movie was terrible. The BBC radio version is excellent and the BBC TV series is good. As for the Hulu series, we'll have to wait and see.

[Manabi]

Originally Posted by salty-horse

I'll counter the likewarmness with a recommendation. It's fine, funny, and a classic for a reason. Maybe don't go in expecting a propulsive plot, or much logic to it, but you have to admit it starts out with the biggest bang possible.

I'd suggest not expecting any logic to it. The whole series is random, illogical and hilarious. Marvin ends up older than the universe but he's somehow still functional? Someone spends a year dead for tax purposes? A band's performances cause planetary catastrophes? A potted plant thinks "Oh no, not again"? (Not all of that happens in the first book.) None of it makes any sense really, but the way it's presented makes you laugh.

[maddz]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The movie was terrible. The BBC radio version is excellent and the BBC TV series is good. As for the Hulu series, we'll have to wait and see.

I was sub-vocalising the dialogue 10 seconds ahead of the soundtrack when we went to see the film. I thought it was quite good although the munchkins at the end were a bit twee.

[Aleron Ives]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in the thrillers thread, but Neal Stephenson's 'Reamde' is $2:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XVN0WW
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/reamde

[SomeSteve]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in the thrillers thread, but Neal Stephenson's 'Reamde' is $2:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XVN0WW
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/reamde

As is his Termination Shock.

https://www.amazon.com/Termination-S.../dp/B08WLWC6GZ

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/termination-shock-1