I... I'm not sure what I think. I'm sure I'll read it, but I'm a bit concerned.

http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/today/index.html

Quote :

"Penguin announced today that it is to publish the sixth novel in the ever-more increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy. Eight years after the tragically early death of its creator, Douglas Adams, widow Jane Belson has sanctioned the project to be written by the international number-one bestselling children's writer, Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl novels. The new book is entitled "And Another Thing..." and will be published in hardback by Penguin in October 2009. The deal was done with Sophie Hicks and Ed Victor of Ed Victor Ltd., agents for both Colfer and the Douglas Adams estate."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7619000/7619708.stm

Quote :

"Adams himself said: "I suspect at some point in the future I will write a sixth Hitchhiker book…I would love to finish Hitchhiker on a slightly more upbeat note. "Five seems to be a wrong kind of number, six is a better kind of number." Now it seems Adams' wish has come true. Children's author Eoin Colfer has been chosen to write the sixth of the series by Adams' widow Jane Belson. He writes of his joy at being able to continue the series with the new book And Another Thing."

Quote :

"My first reaction was semi-outrage that anyone should be allowed to tamper with this incredible series. But on reflection I realised that this is a wonderful opportunity to work with characters I have loved since childhood and give them something of my own voice while holding onto the spirit of Douglas Adams and not laying a single finger on his five books. Once again I am terrified by a Hitchhiker book and this time it is my own. I feel more pressure to perform now than I ever have with my own books, and that is why I am bloody determined that this will be the best thing I have ever written. And if it isn't then I will make sure that the cover is extremely pretty. "

Douglas is by far my favorite fiction writer, and he's close to my favorite non-fiction writer (Last Chance To See). I just wish that we could channel his ghost so he could write this himself.

9/18/2008 1:26:45 PM

I have read some of the Artemis Fowl books. They're fun; there's a bit of an Adams influence apparent in them. Colfer is a good choice if someone has to do it, but I just don't get why someone has to do it.

So often things like this happen and it's immediately excused by "well it has the blessing of his widow." But so what? I guess as soon as his grave was fresh they were lining up to see who would get the opportunity to latch onto his work.

I'll read it. I'll probably enjoy it. It might even be great. But, I don't really understand it.

[Edited on September 18, 2008 at 1:41 PM. Reason : .]

9/18/2008 1:41:22 PM

I kind of agree. I'd only be excited if it was based on notes by DNA or even a bit of a script, but either way, it doesn't worry me I don't think. It'll either be good or it won't, but it won't do anything to the legacy of all the other Adams books, including the other H2G2 books.

9/18/2008 1:47:07 PM

http://eoincolfer.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/and-another-thing.mp3

9/18/2008 2:12:53 PM

I'm really wary of this as well, but at least he clearly acknowledges the enormity of the task set before him

9/18/2008 9:26:21 PM

Terry Pratchett would be a much better choice for something like this.

9/19/2008 12:56:39 AM

Quote :

"And if it isn't then I will make sure that the cover is extremely pretty. ""

honestly that quote gives me hope.

9/19/2008 1:23:12 AM