So Long...And Thanks for All the Fish

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Douglas Adams dead at 49

May 14 — Sci-fi humorist Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy novels, died on Friday. He was 49.

[Excerpts from the article:]

The Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy — of which there are actually five novels — sought to answer the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything. That answer, Adams wrote in a typical Hitchhiker's non sequitur, is 42.

In Adams' universe, the Earth is razed for an intergalactic highway. Survivor Arthur Dent and his strange alien friend, Ford Prefect, then hitchhike the galaxy, using the Guide to help them on their way. They also learn the importance of keeping a fish in their ears, and why one must always carry a towel.

The sequels to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy are The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, the Universe and Everything; So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish; and Mostly Harmless.

The last title is the Guide's entire entry on planet Earth.

-- Rich (howe9@shentel.net), May 15, 2001

Answers

I'm not a huge fan of Adams' work, but there are plenty of chuckles to be had in his books. As nutso as I am, Adams was several grades of lunatic beyond me.

If you haven't read him, check out Hitchhiker's Guide. You'll find out rather quickly whether his brand of humor tickles yer fancy.

-- Rich (howe9@shentel.net), May 15, 2001.


Wow.

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), May 15, 2001.

I never read him. Instead, I listened to the Hitchhiker's Guide when it was produced as a radio play in thirty or forty installments. Back in 1982 was it? It was very odd and highly amusing stuff.

-- Little Nipper (canis@minor.net), May 15, 2001.

Tarzan, I thought it was 47.

-- (bygrace@thru.faith), May 15, 2001.

You have an incredible memory, bygrace. Tarz did state a number other than 42. I better watch what I write when you're around. :)

-- Rich (howe9@shentel.net), May 15, 2001.


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