Salmon of Doubt: And Other Writings

Publisher and industry reviews

Jacket review

'Douglas Adams created a new comic genre, and peopled a whole other world through his work' Financial Times*** 'His ability to connect cosmic ideas with the banal commonplaces of everyday life was unique' Stephen Fry*** 'With his fondness for paradox, his galactic perspective on things and his wonderful way with meaningful nonsense, his are the books that have launched a trillion quips... the Lewis Carroll of the twentieth century' Observer

UK Kirkus review

Unsurprisingly, when Douglas Adams died in May 2001 he was working on a novel. The ten chapters of the latest Dirk Gently story were recovered from his beloved Macintosh computer, along with an amazing range of non-fiction pieces which have been put together in a collection that perfectly celebrates his fabulous strain of genius. Stephen Fry introduces the book in his own inimitable style, noting that, 'we never quite knew how conflicting and insane the universe was or how ludicrous and feeble minded the human race could be until Douglas explained it in the uniquely affable, paradoxical and unforced style that marked him out for greatness'. Reading through an extraordinary collection organized into the (inevitable) structure of Life, the Universe and Everything, you are immediately immersed in the life and talent of this amazing writer. Included are an earnest 12-year-old Douglas's letter to the Eagle magazine, recollections of his loathing of short trousers and insights into a teenage mind obsessed with the Beatles. The true depth of his understanding of our natural, technological and philosophical worlds becomes apparent from his passionate articles and lectures. His breadth of perspective is revealed with insightful analysis in articles on religion, the letter Y and his love affair with two dogs in New Mexico. Interviews, columns, letters and short stories somehow seem to fit together perfectly. About a third of the book is dedicated to The Salmon of Doubt, which was assembled from various versions of the work-in-progress. Dirk Gently, hired by someone he never meets, to do a job that is never specified, starts following people at random. He is simultaneously on the trail of half a cat and an actor whose sudden appearance is perhaps not as random as it seems. Many tantalizing questions are raised, to which we will now never know the answers. This is a magical collection that celebrates Douglas Adams's life and brilliant observations. It might be a touch too much insanity for new readers - but then they should stop messing around and go and read all Adams's other books first - but it's simply a must-have last word for Hitchhiker and Dirk Gently fans. (Kirkus UK)