The BBC reports that Jane Belson, widow of Douglas Adams, has asked Eoin Colfer (author of the Artemis Fowl books) to write another novel featuring Arthur Dent.
5 replies on “Eoin Colfer to pen new “Hitchhiker’s” novel”
No, No, No, No… From TFA:
"My first reaction was semi-outrage that anyone should be allowed to tamper with this incredible series," he said.
"My first reaction was semi-outrage that anyone should be allowed to tamper with this incredible series," he said.
That was my first reaction too. And my second.
And my eleventyth. Does Ms. Belson really need the money that badly? Was Adams’ publishing deal so terrible that she’s broke despite the Hitchhiker’s series selling "more than 16 million copies" (and they weren’t Adams’ only output)?
Unless the reviews come in and are out of this world, I won’t ever give these non-Adams books half a chance.
Douglas Adams died way too young, obviously, but I don’t think he’s have done another book in that series if he’d lived another 25 years considering how stale everything was in "Mostly Harmless" (arguably, the two books preceding it weren’t that great, either; I only read "So Long…" once, while I read the first two books at least a dozen times).
Re: No, No, No, No… My 42nd reaction: I’ve decided that I don’t mind this at all. While I likely won’t count myself among the audience for a new Hitchhiker’s book, if there’s an audience out there who wants this then let them have it and, hopefully, enjoy it. George Lucas didn’t ruin his first 3 movies (despite the annoyance induced by some of the SE changes) for me with his awful prequel trilogy, and Brian Herbert hasn’t ruined Dune and Dune Messiah for me with his Dune books.
As long as nobody goes back and rewrites the Adams work that already exists, I say go crazy with it.
I’ll reserve judgement I’m sure most of the fans are quite content with the state of the books/radio plays as is. But to play devil’s advocate there are two points worth discussion:
1. Frankly, the last two books weren’t "all that." I felt that Adams wasn’t trying as hard with them. 2. Eoin Colfer is a pretty decent author. I did enjoy the first Artemis Fowl book and plan to read the rest. There are definite Adam-esque qualities to his work. Yes, they are juvenile fiction, but Hitchhiker’s has never been "high art."
Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited. Not valid in American Samoa.
Re: I’ll reserve judgement
I’m sure most of the fans are quite content with the state of the books/radio plays as is. But to play devil’s advocate there are two points worth discussion:
1. Frankly, the last two books weren’t "all that." I felt that Adams wasn’t trying as hard with them. 2. Eoin Colfer is a pretty decent author. I did enjoy the first Artemis Fowl book and plan to read the rest. There are definite Adam-esque qualities to his work. Yes, they are juvenile fiction, but Hitchhiker’s has never been "high art."
Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited. Not valid in American Samoa.
It might just be urban legend, but I heard that book 5 was Adams’ revenge for being pressured into writing book 5 before he wanted to.
No, No, No, No…
From TFA:
That was my first reaction too. And my second.
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Re: No, No, No, No…
And my eleventyth. Does Ms. Belson really need the money that badly? Was Adams’ publishing deal so terrible that she’s broke despite the Hitchhiker’s series selling "more than 16 million copies" (and they weren’t Adams’ only output)?
Unless the reviews come in and are out of this world, I won’t ever give these non-Adams books half a chance.
Douglas Adams died way too young, obviously, but I don’t think he’s have done another book in that series if he’d lived another 25 years considering how stale everything was in "Mostly Harmless" (arguably, the two books preceding it weren’t that great, either; I only read "So Long…" once, while I read the first two books at least a dozen times).
Re: No, No, No, No…
My 42nd reaction: I’ve decided that I don’t mind this at all. While I likely won’t count myself among the audience for a new Hitchhiker’s book, if there’s an audience out there who wants this then let them have it and, hopefully, enjoy it. George Lucas didn’t ruin his first 3 movies (despite the annoyance induced by some of the SE changes) for me with his awful prequel trilogy, and Brian Herbert hasn’t ruined Dune and Dune Messiah for me with his Dune books.
As long as nobody goes back and rewrites the Adams work that already exists, I say go crazy with it.
I’ll reserve judgement
I’m sure most of the fans are quite content with the state of the books/radio plays as is. But to play devil’s advocate there are two points worth discussion:
1. Frankly, the last two books weren’t "all that." I felt that Adams wasn’t trying as hard with them.
2. Eoin Colfer is a pretty decent author. I did enjoy the first Artemis Fowl book and plan to read the rest. There are definite Adam-esque qualities to his work. Yes, they are juvenile fiction, but Hitchhiker’s has never been "high art."
Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited. Not valid in American Samoa.
Re: I’ll reserve judgement
It might just be urban legend, but I heard that book 5 was Adams’ revenge for being pressured into writing book 5 before he wanted to.