A bit vague (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency - Douglas Adams)

Member Name: Jonjo3

Product:	Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency - Douglas Adams
Date:	26/09/00 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Humourous to a point

Disadvantages: Doesn't quite gel

I must confess that I approached the Dirk Gently stories with high expectations. As an avid fan of Hitchhikers (et al) I was expecting the same skill and humour to be in the stories of Dirk Gently. I was a bit disappointed.

Douglas Adams is a man capable of subtle (and not so subtle) humour, the forerunner of Terry Pratchett but he did loose his way with Dirk Gently. The actual character of Dirk Gently is enjoyable, a good solid character that is believable but the stories just get too way out to be real.

The Gently stories basically take the original private detective idea and turn it slightly supernatural. We have a visit to Valhalla, a wandering coke machine, The Man of Porlock, horses up spiral stair cases etc etc.
(Please excuse me if I discuss both books together).
The start of these stories are good but they wander and I must confess that I never quite understand the ending. The pieces just don't quite come together to finish the story.

Ok, maybe it is me. Maybe I just missed the point in various places and am not not quite quick enough on the uptake but I don't think that is the case. I have read both of these books twice and still feel that I have missed something.

I suggest you give these books a try. They have their moments but don't expect great things - you will be disappointed.

Summary: