It’s virtually impossible to say anything objective about an experience that is revered by almost everyone who has, and in some cases even by people who haven’t, participated in it. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (H2G2), much like the
Lord of the Rings and
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, to name but two, is that kind of happening. But, I’ll try and approach the onerous task on hand in the spirit of the book, i.e., calmly.
When I first attempted to read H2G2, like any self-respecting follower, I went for it hammer and tongs. I grabbed the Adams’ Trilogy in four parts, called ‘Life, the Universe and Everything’ (in no small measure thanks to the title, which I found uproariously funny) and plunged into it all arms and legs. It was too much. I couldn’t get beyond the first 30 pages. Of course, like practically every unsuccessful 'reader' of ‘important’ books on the planet, I felt ashamed and most inadequate.
For many years, thereafter, this traumatic non-event remained a black hole in my list of literary influences. Every time someone mentioned the book in, of course, reverential tones, I’d nod knowingly and make earnest sounds of clueless agreement.
Then, recently, prompted by the purchase of the H2G2 DVD, I picked up the first part of the Adams’ Trilogy, convinced that I was now grown up enough to appreciate the mind-boggling pleasures of this awe-inspiring book. Predictably enough, in my case, I bought the DVD not because I had enjoyed reading the book but simply because I
had to find a way to truly be part the H2G2 crowd. How could I not, this was H2G2. Everything about it
had to be awesome.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
Now now, hold on. Please don’t panic. Please don't crucify me. Please allow me one, just one, feeble attempt to try and justify my incredible stance on this earth-shattering book of global significance. Thank you.
Carefully speaking, both -- the book and the film -- are good, but not great. Oddly enough, I enjoyed the film more than the book. $hit, I've done it again. Not only have I committed the cardinal sin of being inadequately worshipful about
the book, I’ve multiplied it by saying the film is better. So help me my dear kinda-undecided-about-your-existence God.
And for the few who are still with me, an impotent stab at explaining my hedonistic reasons for preferring the film. It had much to do with the bright colours and the cutesy, stylish animations. The not-all-CGI-driven-aesthetic employed for the special effects to create the creatures, the settings and, among other things, the lumbering Vogon people I found rather endearing. And a deliciously bright, over-the-top performance from Sam Rockwell as Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed rogue king of the Galaxy. None of which, in a manner of speaking, I got from the book. (I know, downright sacrilege.)
Yes, the characters in the book are better fleshed out -- they better be, it is after all a book -- but they aren't crafted into an engaging narrative. This is not to say the film is a smoothly structured ride. In fact, it's even jumpier than the book. Where it scores over the book is in the showcasing of the sights and sounds from the book, something the writer in Douglas Adams has not been able to do. (At least, for me.) That said, what I did immensely enjoy in both forms was Marvin, the perpetually-depressed robot, who is a pure joy to read, watch and listen to (Alan Rickman doing a perfectly apathetic turn with the voiceover).
The way I see it, H2G2 is a kind of book that falls in a genre between magical realism and science fiction (whatever that might be) and is not for everyone; even though, every Tom, Dick and Nerdy strives to make it seem like it is. I also believe Douglas Adams is an infinitely better thinker-up of improbable ideas than a polished wordsmith.
To conclude this blasphemous piece of extraordinarily indigestible opinion, a few more thoughts on why the book didn’t do it for me, even the second time. I suspect it might have something to do with my age, both times. I think I was too young for it when I first approached it. Sadly, the mature, boring, stoic person I am today is a tad over-that-hill from where one might be able to unequivocally appreciate the highs of this slightly juvenile, quite absurd and wildly spaced out book. Still, if you were to ask me what -- the film or the book -- you should feed your fancy with first? I'd unhesitatingly say both - for I am inclined to believe that a mix 'n' watch will be a most compelling journey.
Before passing away into the oblivion of must-be losers who won’t pay obeisance at the shrine of H2G2, there is one other thing I'd like to say. When Ford Prefect tells Arthur Dent, early in the story, that he, initially, thought the dominant life form on Earth were cars, I immediately found myself agreeing with him. Vehemently. Emphatically. Militantly. Great call, great idea, Douglas. (So, does this absolve me, to some extent, of my impertinent crimes against Adamskind? I sincerely hope so.)
Famous last words: Because we live in an age of technology that allows us to show what Science Fiction in written form will find relatively difficult to match, I would argue that books of the H2G2 kind, if well done, are likely to woo and wow modern audiences more on film. Not surprisingly, the case of Douglas Adams' landmark book confounds the mind and Garth Jennings' film is delectable eye candy. For the complete trip into their Galaxy, do them together.
