AND ANOTHER THING…
Eoin Colfer

Douglas Adams’ original five-part “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” inspired countless intellectuals and satirists. But fans of the originals: Don’t expect the new book to approach the genius of the original works, and hope the series won’t be ruined.

Modern capitalism has never understood the concept of a “sacred” work, and with the approval of Adams’ widow Jane Belson, Penguin Books commissioned Eoin Colfer, best known as the author of the “Artemis Fowl” series, to write a sixth book in the series, “And Another Thing.”.

The book’s best moments come when Colfer most successfully imitates Adams’ style, and Colfer does imitate Adams relatively well. However, fans of the original series won’t read “And Another Thing.” without feeling that the perfectly enchanting mixture of humor, science, and philosophy of the originals is missing.

Colfer does bring his own unique style of humor, largely based on linguistic witticisms, to the characters. It’s just not Adams’ style of humor, and unfortunately for Colfer’s best efforts, that somewhat seals the book’s fate.

VERDICT: Fans of the “Hitchhiker’s” series will want to read the new entry into the series, if only to better appreciate the original, but are better off waiting for this one to appear in the cheap paperback bins at the airport.