I started reading Don't Panic by Neil Gaiman recently and it is a huge relief. More on that later.
First off, how amazing is it to read a book by one of my favorite authors, about one of my favorite authors? When I discovered this book existed I felt like I'd drunk a pan galactic gargle blaster.
There are few books I've read more times than all five books of the Hitchhiker's Trilogy. Yes, even "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish." These were the first books that made me want to write. Douglas Adams made it look so easy, which is ironic in the extreme considering all the stories about his struggles with writer's block and deadlines.
Years ago I felt stunned to discover the books were based off of a television series. I was more stunned to learn that the tv series was based off of a radio series. This became my secret shame.
How could I, self professed mega fan, not like the tv series? I just... didn't. And if the tv series was that bad, how good could the radio show really be? (For that matter, how big of a fan was I when I didn't know anything about Adams' involvement with Dr. Who, even brief as it was?)
And in the book, I've learned that Douglas Adams' involvement with the television series was limited. Oh he was involved, but it wasn't quite his vision was it?
Even better. I decided to listen to the radio broadcasts. I'm only up to the Vogan ship scene in the first episode so far, but it is brilliant. It's like the book only not.
Of course I shouldn't have panicked.
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