h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/vote/

The Big Read.

Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy has made it into the top 21 best books.

Vote it your favourite - click on the link...

Go on!!!

Sorry Mort,
Very few of the books have any business being in the top 21, and I include HitchHikers in that. Don't get me wrong I think it's a very funny book, but to put it above every other book ever written is going too far.
I read a review of the Adams biography (that's just reached Hong Kong) saying that creatively he shot his bolt after writing the first two books. The reviewer called him a genius that never produced a fraction of the things of which he was capable. Reading the 3rd and 5th books of HH one is forced to agree, although the 4th book was a return to form. The rest of his writings combine the inspired with the dreadful, but as the reviewer notes that is often the way with genius.
Out of a very poor list of populist reads the inclusion of Harry Potter (another book I like even if POA is better than GOF) is ludicrous, as is Philip Pullman.
For my money 1984 is probably the best of a bad job, although I have always intended to read Birdsong which I've heard very good things about. Apart from the two novels I've contributed articles about (Christmas Carol and To Serve Them All My Days) other novels that are unbelieveable omissions are A Horseman Riding By, Lord of the Flies, The Hobbit (better than LOTR), The History Man, Animal Farm, Gullivers Travels .... the list goes on.
The trouble with public votes like this is that most of them just pick cult books or the last book they read before they switched on the computer. As a list of literary merit it is appalling, and even as a list of popular books it is nonsense.
I for one won't vote, as it will only encourage the BBC to think that this type of 'public vote' is worthwhile, when it is in fact a waste of time.
Nothing against you Mort,(you know I think you're great) but you just got me on a hobby horse.

sbe

dear summerbayexile,

only one book of a writer may be in the top 21 so it is only the first hitchhiker book. orginaly it was published as seperate book.
conclusion you vote for the first book and not all 5.

another thing is that all the books nominated by public in earlier this year. since it is fun too vote and you take it too seriously I would say out, because last time I heard more books were sold. I know that does not mean more are read, but only a few read more it is good.

Fair point, maybe I do take it too seriously(especially given its vacuous nature), but I did manage to have a grin at your second paragraph. It read like something out of James Joyce.
sbe

how can take a tv program seriously if bookworms voiced by Ruby Wax and Clive Anderson promotes it?

another thing is how they can check if some one realy life in the UK?

dont forget on saturday 8/11/03 theres a programme on hitch hikers at 9pm on bbc2 i for one have voted for DNA

Star Fleet