Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (Dirk Gently Book 2)

Douglas Adams' reading of The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul is truly engaging. The problem with this audio book is two-fold:

1. None of the tracks has any text-encoding. This means that devices that read this information cannot use or display the CD names or track names. So, an iTunes won't read any CD names or track names, nor will any CD player that can show CD names or track names.

2. CD #6 of the set repeats the same scene over and over, without ever reaching the ending.

New Millenium Audio destroyed a perfectly enjoyable performance with its poor mastering of the CD.

I truly enjoyed reading Douglas Adams' "The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul." That is, right until I finished it. Up to that point, I had been prepared to give it at least a 4 star rating. But, the ending just fizzles. Perhaps it does more than fizzle. It just disappears. Instead of an ending that would tie everything up nicely and cleverly like everything else in the book, Adams ends the book at the last minute by, basically, throwing up his hands and quitting. All he needed was a couple more pages where he could have dumped the "Hot Potato" into the lap of the responsible parties and all would have been well. Instead, he just... stops. The ending reminds me of how badly he destroyed the Hitchhiker series with the miserable Mostly Harmless. I'm so angry with the ending that I'd like to rate the book at 1 star. But, rationally, I really enjoyed 99.9% of the book. So, I'm splitting the difference and rating it at an OK 3 stars out of 5.

After the appalling "Dirk Gentlys Holistic Detective Agency", (mostly recycled from an unfinished Dr. Who script Adams wrote), we have the Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul. Possibly the worst novel Adams has written, (although the last two HitchHikers books are pretty bad), it has no redeemming features whatsoever. Duff, duff, duff.

To anyone who is familiar and enjoyed the Hitch Hiker's Guide series, either from reading the books or watching any of several versions in video form, this author needs neither introduction or further praise. Suffice to say that the two books that, sadly, constitute the whole of this series are yet another tour de force and provide a highly entertaining glimpse into a new fantasy concept with vast potential. Prepare to laugh and ponder, often at the intricacies of human relations, societal foibles and the usual blatant governmental corruption.

Like it's predecessor, "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency", "The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul" demands a second reading. It's complex, often confusing, but never less than amusing. Both books display Douglas Adams' verbal wit, which will remind most of his ever-popular "Hitchhiker" books, but are more concerned with their labyrinthine and well-structured plots. And both books offer an ending that may not make sense if the reader hasn't been paying close (and I mean CLOSE) attention. The main difference between the two is that while the ending of the former was obscure *and* painstakingly logical, the ending here feels contrived and illogical. Like a good mystery novel, the reader should have been able to see it coming given the clues presented. In "Dirk Gently" this was true; it necessitated some research to fathom, but with enough effort the reader could make sense of things. Here, not so much.
That's not to say that "Tea-Time" is a pointless endeavor. It is, after all, a Douglas Adams novel. And now that the man is gone, we should cherish everything he's ever written. In their own ways they're all gems. This gem, however, has less of a sheen.
Once again, Dirk Gently is asked to save the world. Or rather, he's asked to not screw it up so much. He's a detective who believes in the interconnectedness of everything. This point is only sporadically touched on here, but is relayed at great length in the previous book. Pity, because Adams has constructed a narrative whose tentacles dip into a myriad of different subjects and storylines, all for the most part unrelated. But he does draw them all together, seemingly against their will, in the end. The drawback, then, is that the book becomes less a cohesive novel than a collection of eclectic ideas. I'd have loved to see how Adams further involved the electric I Ching calculator (a favourite tool of the Electric Monk maybe?) in the story. But alas it comes and goes all too quickly. The same can be said for The Great Zaganza, a horoscope writer who puts private joke messages to Dirk directly in each day's newspaper. Or Elena, the wayward maid, who's locked in a battle of wills with Dirk to see who will open his refrigerator first (Why? I'll never tell). These are all wonderful ideas, pregnant enough for a whole chapter (or a whole book) in Adams' hands, but nearly wasted here. Thankfully, there are enough of them to make a mild mosaic of mystery on which the narrative balances.
The book shares one of its main themes with Terry Pratchett's "Small Gods". This is not the first time I've favourably compared Adams to Pratchett, and vice versa. I suspect if you like the wicked wit and playful literary structures of one, than you'll adore the other just as much. Adams relies less on puns than Pratchett, and more on cultural mythology, but they were equally adept at deconstructing popular images to their own ends.
Before treading here I recommend a bit of research first. Read the first "Dirk Gently" book. Since Adams doesn't repeat his introduction and explanation of the main character, those unfamiliar with him will find Dirk's methods baffling. They are explained fully, just not here. Also, it might be a good idea to brush up on your Norse mythology before entering. No need to go too deep, just a trip to Valhalla will do. And finally, remember this: pay attention to everything. Nothing is accidental here. Everything matters. Everything is connected. Enjoy!

If you have read any of Douglas Adams' work before, the novel will not take you by surprise. It is the usual delightful derangement. Anything that revolves around the Norse Gods Odin and Thor (followed everywhere by a coke machine) as well as angry eagles, a girl named Kate and of course Dirk Gently,means that Adams' wit is not far behind with some twisted turn of events. Adams follows his usual plot development, describing three or four seemly unrelated events and weaving them together in the last chapters to put the whole picture together. Think Monty Python meets detective novel.

Great story! Imagine: all of the Gods that humans ever imagined are real. And since they are immortal, they continue living well after we've stopped believing in them. This is a story of a mysterious explosion in Heathrow airport, an unlikely murder of Dirk Gently's client (on the first day of his being hired), and a lost girl. The story is a lot of fun, but the one downside is that the wrap-up/conclusion happens so quickly that it felt unfulfilled after such a great ramp up. Nonetheless, definitely worth a read if you want a fun story. Heck, it was a fun story to share with my aunt on the long road trip to Louisiana!

This book is also definitely WAY OUT THERE. But I have to say, I did not find it quite as laugh-out-loud funny as its prequel, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. I am almost finished with it (less than 50 pages to go and those will go quick), but it is VERY ODD! Still, it has many of the same classic Adams' techniques and it still quite funny.

After reading the first book, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, I knew I had to read the next two. The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul didn't disappoint. It's interesting, unique, curious and the flow is great. I loved the characters, and Douglas Adams is so terrifically creative, it's just fun to read. I'm moving on to the last book in the series now.

A check-in counter at London's Heathrow Airport spontaneously explodes in a ball of flame, and is ruled by the authorities as "an act of God." As it turns out, the explosion was an act of *a* god---Thor, the God Of Thunder, trying to catch a plane to Oslo, Norway. But why would an almighty god be trying to catch a plane flight in the first place? Enter holistic detective Dirk Gently to solve the mystery....The second and, sadly, final "Dirk Gently" book written by the late, great Douglas Adams, "The Long Dark Tea Time Of The Soul" is a hysterically funny book, and a major improvement over the decent but unspectacular first book, "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency," which certainly had it's funny moments, but was too long (and long-winded) and confusing. This time around, Adams' writing is a LOT sharper & funnier, and he keeps the book excellently paced. And the character of Dirk Gently really grows here---he's much more concise and focused, and he doesn't ramble on and on about his philosophical views & methods of detective work as he did in the first book. "Long Dark Tea Time" contains many outrageously funny scenes---Dirk's dilemma with his old refridgerator, and his surprising encounter with a young boy watching TV are both particularly memorable---and great characters, too, not only Dirk Gently but also the spunky American girl Kate Schechter, Thor the hot-headed God Of Thunder, and the vile creature named Toe Rag. The story is clever, moves along nicely, and, if I haven't made it clear enough, is very, very funny.I'm saddened that Douglas Adams never got around to writing a third "Dirk Gently" book, as I would've loved to have read further adventures of this most oddball of detectives. But at least Adams wrote a pair of them, and "The Long Dark Tea Time Of The Soul" is a fabulously hilarious book that can proudly sit right alongside Adams' very best "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" books, in particular volumes 1, 2 and 4. "The Long Dark Tea Time Of The Soul" is classic Douglas Adams all the way.

I practically have it memorized, I've read and listened to it so many times. The man was nuts. I just love him. Miss his wit and skewed way of looking at the world. If you have a goofy sense of reality, not to mention humor, you'll love it, too!

I love Douglas Adams character, Dirk Gently, the Holistic Detective. I wish Douglas Adams had lived long enough to write more than two of these books. I like his other stuff, including the more famous books, but this is one of my two favorites.

I enjoyed it... somewhat. The writing was clever and fun (as one might expect from Douglas Adams). It was the ending that felt rushed and ultimately left everything feeling somewhat pointless,,, maybe that was the point after all. After spending time with a story I want a pay off and I didn't get one here.

Adams has the ability to take a seemingly ridiculous idea and, with words, massage our brains into believing that, yes, this is probable - and not only probable but the only likely explanation of the way the real world works. An author with this kind of genius needs to be read, enthusiastically and often. This book, along with all of his other works, are rare treasures that should be savored, over and over. He is the mint in the mist, the perfume of our memories, the sirens' song in our morning coffee. Don't miss this book!

I bought this book, because I loved the Hitchhiker series and I thought more Douglas Adams couldn't hurt. This book is ok, but it isn't his best work. It still has that distinct Adams feel, but it just isn't quite the same. It is definitely a different way of looking at the world. Still overall a great book. You can't go wrong with Douglas Adams.

Sixty-four out of the 66 reviews currently up talk about THE BOOK. The product listed is THE AUDIO CD of the book. I ordered the CD set for Christmas, and it was good - up until the final, 6th CD. There, one section repeats over and over, over all 18 tracks. It's the part of Chapter 26 where Thor and Kate meet Tsuliwaensis. Each track is not identical, but the part of the book that is read, is. Needless to say, you never get to the thrilling conclusion of the book.

the store quickly replaced the CD set (thank you!), but the replacement set has THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. (I apologize for appearing to shout here.) Has anyone reviewing this product actually listened to the CD from beginning to end? Are they all this way, or have I gotten two clinkers in a row?

Thank you.