from Penguin Press:
I first read the Hitchhiker’s Guide in my late teens when Ted Roche, a libertine friend of mine, pressed it into my sweaty palms and hissed at me with fanatical intensity that I must read it or be ridiculed forever by the school literati. Relax, dude, I remember saying with eighties’ insouciance. Ridicule is nothing to be scared of.
But I was scared. Petrified in fact. If one was not a sportsman, the only other circle to belong to was the readers’ circle. Places were limited and expulsions were swift and ruthless. If one had not read the livre du jour then one would not be offered book swapsies on Friday. If this happened, then a person might be forced to turn to his own siblings for conversation.
So, in this spirit of quasi-persecution I scuttled home after double chemistry and found a quiet bathroom where I could settle down and read what I was certain would be a thinly veiled version of Star Wars. Vogons destroy the Earth and a single hero survives. Please. I could almost write the rest myself.
Never have I been so happy to be proven wrong.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was like nothing I had read before, or since for that matter. If you have read it then you know exactly what I am talking about. If you haven’t then read it now, moron. The problem is the hyperbole puts people off. If it’s so popular then it must be middle of the road, brimming with clichés and easily digested on the sands of Ibiza.
All false assumptions. The Guide is a slice of satirical genius. A marvel of quantum tomfoolery. A dissection of the absurdities of our human condition. A space odyssey that forces us to face ourselves and collapse in hysterics. Imagine if Messrs. Hawking and Fry were locked in a room with the entire cast of Monty Python and forced to write a book which would subsequently be edited by Pink Floyd, then the result would need a lot of work before it could be cut from Douglas Adams’ first draft.
For the next couple of decades I followed the exploits of Arthur Dent and his intergalactic troupe as they stumbled through space and time befuddled and bereft, drinking tea in the face of impossible odds and generally failing to find enlightenment at every turn. It’s like a quest for the holy grail where the grail is neither holy nor grail-shaped. I travelled with Arthur Dent as he lost his planet, learned to fly, found love, made sandwiches, got to know his daughter, found his planet again briefly and finally got blown to atoms.
Blown to atoms! Surely not, but no need to panic, Douglas Adams would surely reassemble Arthur somehow in the next book.
But as we all know, the next book never came and the legions of Hitchhiker fans were left with their hearts beating a little too quickly for all eternity.
It became a whimsy of mine to finish the story, just for my own peace of mind. I often wondered how Douglas Adams would have resurrected his beloved characters. And now, almost quarter of a century after first reading Hitchhiker, I have been given the incredible opportunity of writing the next chapter in the saga myself. In an actual book rather than in my head.
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.
For the first time in decades I feel the uncertainty that I last felt in my teenage years. There are people out there that really want to like this book. Ted Roche is one. I will track him down in eight months time, with a proof copy in my sweaty grip, press it into his hands and tell him with fanatical intensity that he really has to read this book. Then I will sit on the corner of his sofa until he is finished and await the verdict.
©Eoin Colfer
Wexford, September 2008
Hmm. I say - props. And I look forward to reading it. I am a huge Douglas Adams fan and must say it was very hard to leave Arthur blown up. I merely hope it does not come out during law finals or I will have a hard time concentrating on Civil Procedure…
I first read the Guide when I was ten, and I have re-read it at least annually over the next 26 years.
People say books change their life, and usually meaning that they really liked it.
The Guide changed my life. It shaped my worldview, changed how I saw people and institutions, altered my social interactions, reforged my voice as a writer, and in general, permeated every aspect of my existence as a human being.
I carried a towel in my backpack to school for the next 6 years.
I met my wife because of the book. At our first contact I asked her the answer, and when she supplied it I asked her to marry me.
We married on April 2nd, so the date would be 4/2 (for us Yanks).
I have “DON’T PANIC” inscribed on my wedding ring…in large friendly letters.
I will read this. I will give you the benefit of the doubt, and I will take the plunge.
Please don’t ruin this for me.
Hi there. I’ll introduce myself, I’m a french fan of the Guide and one of the founder members of the G.O.S. (Great Order of the Towel) with Nicolas Botti and some others.
First of all, Robert, your story is really amazing. When I discovered the Guide, it also changed my life. I began to be surer of me thanks to it, seriously get involved in british humour and were generally known by my friends as “Mr 42″. Well, that’s to say H2G2 represents a lot for me.
I’m pleased to learn that you’ll be in charge of the sixth opus. When I was 14 (I’m 18 now), I’ve read Artemis Fowl found it really brilliant. But you know yourself that people reading the Guide are different than teenagers, it would be much difficult to satisfy them. But, I think you can do it, and I also hope you’re writing just for you and not for the fans. Please yourself first, if it pleases the others too, it would just be greater, then. I’m curious to see how you’ll resurrect Arthur and Ford. And, I have a request. Please, make it ever hardest for potentials other authors to continue a seventh opus of the Guide : Douglas Adams wanted the Guide to be defintely over, but at all began to think on another adventure, that would probably have finished even worst than Mostly Harmless.
If Jane Belson has chosen you, she might have good reasons. I believe in you !
Sorry for this poor english !
Dude, you almost brought tears to my eyes. That book changed my life. Period.
And I want more…..and, I wish you all the best. I haven’t yet picked up your other books, but now I will.
Don’t Panic!
Hello my name is Skylar and I am 29 years old. First of all I must say that I was very sad that I was unable to see you live. Any chance of a DVD? Anyhow, I am a huge fan. I love reading anything you write, sometimes more than once. I also just finished reading the complete Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The series absolutely blew my mind. I think I felt at the end that there had to be more to story. In a story of such upsurd uncertainty nothing seemed final, and yet it ended so finitely. When I read that you were going to write the next chapter I nearly fell over with joy. I have always enjoyed how you are able to make each story of yours fresh and new. One thing I have learned from reading the Artemis Fowl series in particular is that you never know what to expect. I know you are going to do a great job. Don’t Panic!
If you really want to do this in the spirit of DNA, you’ll have to try your hardest to stick to that eight-month deadline, fail horribly, and eventually surprise everyone with a masterpiece. I wish you the very best of luck!
When I first read the news I could only think of one thing. How you are either incredible brave or incredible stupid to accept this responsibility. I’ve read your entire catalogue of books (Which were all rather excellent I might add.), and I can say with certainty that it most assuredly wasn’t stupidity that made you do this. When the feeling of general awe stopped, I realised that if I should have chosen anyone to write this book, it would be you as well. I wish you all the best.
This book changed my life. Thank you for taking up the mantle.
I have read the whole Artemis Fowl series, several times, and The Supernaturalist and all that. They are very good, and come to think of it, if you look hard enough, you can see a spark of Adams’ work in your writing.
I was incredibly surprised when I saw the article in the paper, and I really wish you the very best. The guide is probably one of the most view-shaping books I have ever read, and I love his style.
Please produce another surprising masterpiece,
Andrew,
Australia.
*explodes*
I’ve no doubt in my mind you can pull it off. (”Pull it off” being quite the understatement.)
We readers obviously have no reason to panic.
(Haha, get it? Panic? Ha- ok, fine…)
~LizzieSpinelli
I just hope you do DNA justice and put the book off to the last minute, cram in a few baths, and then finish it while the deadline makes that whooshing noise as you pass it.
Good luck!
I first read H2G2 when I was 11. I then proceeded to reread the books every few months, every time finding a new bit that I had missed the last time. At school, I’m the hoopy frood who really knows where his towel is (hanging from my belt loop, of course).
Of course, I also ordered the fifth Artemis Fowl novel from amazon.co.uk just so I could get it before the rest of America did (it was so worth it, too).
In any case, I read the press release about “And Another Thing” and I thought I was dreaming. My favorite (living) author finishing the increasingly inaccurately named trilogy by my favorite (deceased) author? Surely I must be dreaming… Thankfully I’m not. I can’t wait for this book to come out, and I can guarantee that I will pretend to be sick so I can take a day off and read it in one sitting.
Hitchhiker’s Guide is the only series that I re-read regularly, just because they are so much fun, so brilliant, so inspiring. When my life is at a low point, I pull one out. I’ve been doing this for years and years. They’re like comfort food for my brain.
Interestingly, for my 14-year-old daughter, the Artemis Fowl series serves a similar purpose. She’s read them all (well, she’s reading the latest one now, slowly savouring it and making it last as long as possible) and I often see her re-reading one or part of one just because they make her feel good. Other books get put away on a shelf–not these. They’re her brain comfort food.
Based on these seemingly unrelated facts, I expect you’ll do a fantastic job on this project. Congratulations and good luck!
It is extremly odd that the night before I read that you were going to write the 6th book in the trilogy, I found myself thinking: “It’s a pity he’s(Adams) dead, It ends rather too soon.” When I heared the news I was at first a little doubtfull. How could anybody but Adams write such a great book? But in that time I have again looked over your work and have decided if there’s anyone that can do this, it’s you. I’m(and many others of course!) with you until the end on this one!
Josh.C,
Sweden
*struggles to keep a straight face*
I, for one, would LOVE to see what happens when Mr. Hawking and Mr. Fry are locked in a room with all of Monty Python.
I fail. I can’t say, or even type, that without laughing.
As it is, I absolutely love Artemis Fowl, and am also a fan of Douglas Addams, although one of the moronic fans who has never technically read the book. I wish you the best of luck, and I think you’ll do wonderful.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide has meant an awful lot to me, too, mainly because I’ve met a lot of great people through Hitchhiker fandom, sometimes in person and sometimes online. There’s something about the people who ‘get’ the Guide; they tend to share a kind of compassion and a sense of the absurdity of so much human behaviour.
Like yourself, Mr Colfer, I was initially uneasy about the idea of a new book, but reading this has made me feel so much better about the whole thing. If anyone’s still uncomfortable with the idea, I think it’s worth remembering that Douglas Adams himself was dissatisfied with the way the saga of Arthur Dent ended. Towards the end of his life he expressed reservations about ‘Mostly Harmless’ and explained that he thought it was a little too dark because he’d been trying to write a funny book while feeling depressed.
So I’m glad that you so clearly appreciate what an honour and responsibility it is to write the next instalment, but I hope you manage to enjoy writing it anyway. I’m sure that you’ll respect the spirit of the mighty Douglas, add something of your own and do a fine job. Hopefully you won’t hear any deadlines whooshing by!
Eoin, I am thrilled for you - and a little apprehensive. If you need anyone to proof read on the physics front etc. then drop me an email.
Ginnantonix all round…..now where did I leave my towel.
This is kind of funny. I just got the first book out of the library a few weeks ago and started reading it. Then I find out that you’re writing the sixth one. I really can’t wait! You’ll do an AWESOME job, I’m sure. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
….So something makes me look at BBCaudio.com….I think I was looking if the Dirk Gently Radio series was for sale yet, and I see something about “Arthur Dent” complaining about a new Hitchhiker’s Book, which let me to this site.
First, Like everyone that’s posted so far, H2G2 was life changing for me as well. I was lucky enough to come across the series quite by accident and things have never been the same for me.
I could go on and on about the brilliance of Adams and his works, but it would be redundant. I can go on and on about the significance of his work to my life, but again, it’s much the same as has been mention above.
I DO want to wish you the best in the effort….and I PRAY (Or at least I’ve programmed my Electric Monk to pray for me) that your efforts stays true to the spirit of the series. I can’t even begin to convey to anyone reading this, the depth of my disappointment in the “Hollywood” version…..just unwatchable….I’ve tried, and I’ve tried and I’ve tried….Just unwatchable.
I’ve just ordered the first 2 Artemis Fowl books to familiarize myself with your work Mr. Colfer. I look forward to the read.
Best of luck to you,
Leon Porter, Virginia USA
I’m very glad to be reading this. When I found out there was going to be a sixth book by a person other than Adams(well, of course, seeing as he is sadly deceased-may he rest in peace), I did panic a little(quite stupid on my part, whatever happened to “DON’T PANIC”?), but when I found out you were to write it I felt a lot better, and reading this eases my mind even more.
I’m still skeptical, but I’m hoping you’ll pull this off. I thouroughly enjoyed the Artemis Fowl series and the Supernaturalist. I feel very rude saying so, but I was extremely dissapointed when I first read the Lost Colony, so when the Time Paradox came out I was expecting as much, but was very pleasantly suprised. It might even be my favorite now. Seeing how well you pulled that off(the synopsis on the book jacket had me worried, and I couldn’t believe how well you did it.), I won’t make the mistake of underestimating you again.
Hm, as to the continuations you previously concocted in your head, sounds like fanfiction(if you’re familiar with the concept). The fact that you’ve plotted such a story out before definitally gives me hope for the fate of this book.
Good luck with your writing, I’m anxiously anticipating it’s release. Hopefully matching one of my favorite series’ with one of my favorite authors will work out well.
Now I shall cease my incessant rambling….
(please pardon the rather unusual alias. It’s a long story involving references to a bizarre comic book involving an ex-mafioso illusionist.)
Thank you! This is incredibly good news for me. News that’s so wonderful that I have no idea whether to laugh or cry because no one else around me cares.
I too was taken aback when I saw the news. My first reaction was to violently object to anyone else touching the book. It’s the sacred guide to life, the universe and everything! Who can top that?
But when I saw that it was going to be written by you, I suddenly felt calm and thought that this could probably work. If its you, it just might be possible.
Artemis Fowl was a great series even though I can’t persuade anyone else to read it. But hey, I can’t get any of my friends to touch The Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy either. Not even with bribes.. or really smelly threats.
So.. I guess.. that should be a compliment!
I love your humour. Please don’t screw it up. =)
I wish you all the best!
Like Robert above, the books changed my life and my worldview on what s/f could be. Recently, I loaned my copy of the complete and unabridged HHGG collection to a friend and when I didn’t get it back after a full month, I did indeed panic. I demanded the book back, altho my friend had hardly gotten started on the series. I keep it on my writing table at all times.
I wish you the best of luck, Mr. Colfer. I’m excited by the possibility and can’t wait to read the story that’s been in your head for so many years.
Wow. Can I just say that I will never again be sad for the rest of my life. This has to be the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard.
My dad got me to read H2G2 in sixth grade (I’m now in 11th), and the series was immediately tied, possibly even surpassed, the Harry Potter series with which I was obsessed. Since then, only one other book series has ever impressed me so much, and that is the Artemis Fowl series.
I can hardy contain my joy! (It took most of my self control not to faint when I read this).
I’m old enough to have heard the guide on radio before I read the books, and died quickly on the 8 bit text game. A new book sounds like fun, good luck to you.
When I first heard about a new HHGG-book I had to check the date of the newspaper to see if it was 1st of April. It wasn’t of course. Then I became excited and I felt Eoin Colfer was the right man to do the last and final book of hhgg-series.
I hope you will do a good work, Eoin!
//Martin Östlund, svenskt Liftarens guide till galaxen-fan
I finnaly got my hands on the english version of the last two books of the Artemis Fowl series ( I live in Brazil and Time Paradox haven’t even arrived here yet…) and finished reading both. I realy think you’re writing better and better as the years pass, Eoin (no joking about your age). I couldn’t be happier to read that you’re the one who’s going to finish Hitchhiker’s Guide, i think you’re the right person for the job and if someone can do this is you. I’m waiting to laugh as hard as i did with any other book you wrote.
P.S:sorry if i made any grammar mistakes or anything like that, i suck writing in my own language, not to mention others. ^^”
Mr. Colfer, when I found out there was going to be another “Hitch Hiker’s” book, I choked, died and spontaneously combusted. When I found out it was going to be YOU writing it, I found myself comfortably re-spawned on the couch- a nice cup of tea in hand with “DON’T PANIC” written on the mug in big, friendly letters. And I didn’t panic. Because I trust you implicitly.
I know you’ll do a fantastic job. I am even more excited to hear that you are not trying to write like Adams. You are writing as Eoin Colfer in Eoin Colfer’s style, yet with Douglas’ characters. Ever since I was eight years old, (not that long ago, I admit; I’m 15 now) I have loved your work. And I’ve loved Adams’ work since eleven. Whenever I am asked my favourite authors, my response is prompt- “Eoin Colfer, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Tolkien.” To hear that two of these are going to be joined makes me incredibly happy, and I am certain that the novel is in perfectly capable hands. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I’m rooting for you!
Have fun with this, because there’s nothing I enjoy reading more than a piece where I can tell the author had just as much fun writing the novel as I had reading it. =]
Dear Eoin I am your biggest fan i have read many of your books including the artemis fowl seris. i am very interested that you are writing the sequel to the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy i will defanitly read it when it is published. i hope you will write more books in the artemis fowl seris because it is my favourite series ever made.
from your biggest friend
:Jason
Happy coincidence… I’m listening to Stephen Fry reading The Book at the moment. There is nobody more qualified than you, Mr Colfer, to complete the Trilogy in six parts. I’m really looking forward to reading it and the best of luck (and what an amazing experience it must be!) writing it. You’re a froody guy who definitely knows where his towel is!
Esther x
Dear Eoien I am a very big fan of yours. Your Artemis Fowl series is my all time favorite. My second favorite series just happened to be Douglas Adams ’s Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. I was very happy to hear that you will be writing the next book in the series, I really think you can do it.
Just know were your towel is.
I can’t believe that Eoin has been chosen to write the new HitchHikers book! I love them SO MUCH and although at first I was pretty shocked that anyone would be chosen to write a sequel to Douglas Adams’ masterpieces, I’m now SO pleased that it’s Eoin Colfer! I don’t know if Mr Colfer will read this but if he does I would like to know one thing. WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED TO FENCHURCH!!!!????? I’ve always wanted to catch up with her!!!!!!