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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Restaurant at the End of the Universe in Books

Nov 25, 2019

Like the first book, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is based on the radio series Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. But where the first book was more-or-less the plot of the first four episodes, for the second book Adams included many of the best bits of the second series too, changing the story around to keep some semblance of plot (beyond Arthur's search for a decent cup of tea).

A perfect example of his ability to 'write backwards' the contents of 8 half hour radio scripts are condensed into one book, then expanded again with further footnotes and wry observations of the human condition. There is so much to like, so much to enjoy. The visit to the Hitchhiker head office, the Total Perspective Vortex, lemon soaked paper napkins, the Restaurant itself. And of course the classic and downbeat ending.

As a pair of books this and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy will keep you smiling for days, first as you read them and then as you remember all the little quotes, footnotes and bizarre extracts from The Book.

Nobody has ever come close to replicating Adams. This book shows why.

Kudos

Sarah (7800 KP) rated A Gate at the Stairs in Books

Feb 9, 2020

A Gate at the Stairs

Lorrie Moore | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry

5.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Not bad but ultimately forgettable

I read this as part of a local reading group I’ve joined recently, and I was sceptical as some of the Goodreads reviews are scathing to say the least. However fortunately this isn’t as bad as others seem to think.

The problem is that this book is mostly forgettable. The writing is rather good, although does have a tendency to ramble off at rather bizarre tangents. I’m not sure if this is meant to be a nod to the disjointed and random thoughts of the narrator, but for me this didn’t quite work. When it got a little rambling I found my mind began to wander and I ended up skim reading more than I should. I also struggled with the anti-racism group, while they didn’t feature too often when they did their inane ramblings and chat I just couldn’t stand. Despite this the rest of the book isn’t too bad. Tassie is a rather shambolic protagonist and for the most part not very sympathetic or endearing. But the development of her and her friends and family is engaging enough to keep you reading, even if sadly this book is ultimately forgettable.

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Erika (17789 KP) rated The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011) in Movies

Mar 20, 2020

Voice talent (0 more)

Now... I know Herge himself chose Spielberg as the only director for Tintin before Herge passed away.
Instead of choosing to go with one adventure, or even two that were sequels/two-parts, the decision was made to mash up The Crab with the Golden Claws, and the Secret of the Unicorn. Tintin originally met Captain Haddock in the Crab with the Golden Claws (1941), not the Secret of the Unicorn (1943). Needless to say, I was completely confused. Tintin and Haddock were already friends, and Tintin bought the Unicorn as a gift... It was just bizarre to me. Why and how was that decision made? Yes, there were tons of homages to the adventures of Tintin overall, but the plot just felt all over the place.
I also did not dig the animation/mo-cap, it was very off-putting and distracting. Thank god the technology was improved in Ready Player One.
I think I was expecting too much. I wouldn't be remotely interested in a sequel for this. Maybe Spielberg will try it again? It would work better as a television series anyway, you've got 23 complete adventures, the stories need another chance.