Book #8: "The Salmon of Doubt"

The last writings of Douglas Adams, containing (among other things) the beginning of his next novel, now sadly unfinished. And this collection is, of course, funny and thought-provoking and educational.

Given the inherent melancholy of posthumous publishing, it's no wonder that the book makes me a little wistful as well. Wondering what might have been, had Adams not suffered that heart attack almost thirteen years ago. What would he have had to say, for instance, about the events of September 11th? Would he have enjoyed the long-awaited Hitchhiker movie? How would he react to the ubiquity of cell phones and their astonishing capabilities? (There's actually an article about typing on a handheld computer, which we would define today as texting.)

Truly, the man was a visionary, and I miss all that he could have given to the world. But of all the things I would like to ask, the one I would most like answered is this: What does Douglas Adams, self-described "radical atheist", think about God and the afterlife now?

Author: Douglas Adams

Potentially objectionable content: A fair amount of language, plus his general disdain for religion (and religious people, which is the hardest part for me)

Book #7: "Mostly Harmless"

Okay, this is "the fifth book in the increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Trilogy" and it's...pretty bleak. The love of Arthur's life vanishes in a freak hyperspace accident, the Guide is taken over by corporate nutjobs and Zaphod gets mentioned exactly twice. Douglas Adams was feeling pretty miserable about life in general and it shows.

However, he was still a genius, and his worst is still very very good. It also raises some interesting questions about the parental responsibilities of sperm donors and the impact of small moments on our lives. Plus it answers the question of whether Elvis was abducted by aliens, so there's that.

Is it worth reading? Absolutely, for completion's sake. But if you're happy with the feeling at the end of "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish"...you might want to just stop there.

Author: Douglas Adams

Potentially objectionable content: It's more...derisively irreverent than previous volumes. And lots more language.