Good Omens

[Film Hobbit]

Well, at Valkary's reccomendation, I <A HREF=http://www.vstore.com/cgi-bin/pagegen/vstoremovies/filimhobbit/page.html?mode=itempage&file=/page/itempagev4/itempage.spl&prodID=1306061&catID=26307>Ordered a copy of Good Omens</A> by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Having finished reading it just last night, let me say that you were quite right Val, it's a very funny and well written book.

Comparisons towards Hitchhiker's guid abound. One of the quotes at the front of the book calls it "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Apocalypse". Most of it centers around the relationships between heaven and hell, and in particular an Angel and a Demon who have been stuck on earth together a really really long time. Everyone's looking for the anti-christ and Armaggedon is on the way, with lots of mildly entertaining humans running around caught in between.

And while Good Omens is witty and very enjoyable, I maintain my stance that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is by far the best of it's genre. Good Omens, while more mature in nature, never once approaches the with, charm, and style of Hitchhiker. It also didn't elict very much out loud laughter. Though my biggest complaint is that the ending seems a bit confused and muddled. Like the author finally got where he was going and suddenly realized he didn't really want to be there. There are a couple of points where I'm still not sure what happened, which left be just a little bit dissatisified.

Still, it was well worth reading, thanks for the reccomendation Val! A smart and sharp edged little book with lots to say about Religion and Superstition in general.

[Valkary]

Well, to give you credit, now that you have actually read both youu are entitled to this opinion.

Of course you are wrong, but you are entitled to it. hehe.

In any event, when I am feeling blue this is the book I always reach for to cheer myself up.

I'm cureious what Legna has to say about it? Or does she still plan to do a review as well? Maybe a disinterested third party can settle this for us once and for all?

[TheReelCritic]

It wouldn't be me. I'm of the opinion that Pratchett and Adams are both utter geniuses - just that Adams's a bit moreso.

[Cogito]

I think both books (or series, as it where) are excellent. I've never read anything by Pratchett or Adams that I have not enjoyed tremendously.

But I would have to say I think better of Hitchhiker's though, as well as Adams himself... Sorry Valkary. They are both awesome, but that's my preference.

An "alternative" to Hitchhiker's is RED DWARF. In case you have seen the TV show of it, rest asured it is NOT a Hitchhiker's ripoff. I must admit I thought so, when I saw the TV show, I immediately thought it was. But when I read the books, I found they were completely unique, and different from Hitchhiker's -- it's just the TV version of it that seems to immitate it.

As far as Good Omens go, my fave religious/anti-religious book is SCEPTICISM, INC. This is one of the only two books I have ever bought more than one copy of, so that I could lend it out to more people. It is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. If you cloned Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and Kurt Vonnegut Jr., you would get the author of SCEPTICISM, INC. I'm not kidding: The story is told by a conscious, intelligent shopping trolley, on his way to the top of Mount Everest, to resolve a spiritual crisis. :) I would consider it a great loss in my life, had I never read this book, it's that great, and funny..

[Film Hobbit]

Red Dwarf is VERY hit and miss. I've seen a few HILARIOUS episodes (where they visit the planet where time runs backwars... GENIOUS!) and some really ho hum episodes.

However, while it is VERY reminiscient of Hitchhiker, if you watch it a few times it is indeed very clear that it is in no way a ripoff.

The Red Dwarf movie they are working on should be quite interesting.

Hopefully Legna will do a review of Good Omens, since mine wasn't really a review, just jumbled thoughts.

[TheReelCritic]

I thought all of your reviews were jumbled thoughts, Hobbit.

(Runs, hoping that The Cinematic Furry-foo knows he's joking)

[Film Hobbit]

No that's actually very true, just when i do a real review I try to jumble them in a more coherent and entertaining manner.

[legna]

I will do a review Val- I have a stack of books to read that is about waist high. It's in there somewhere!