The Salmon of Doubt [Hardcover]

The Salmon of Doubt is the late Douglas Adams' third comic novel about "holistic detective" Dirk Gently. Ten tantalising chapters of this unfinished project are padded to book size with about 50 short Adams pieces, mostly non-fiction.

Additional material includes introductions by Stephen Fry and editor Peter Guzzardi (who stitched together the Salmon fragment from disk drafts), The Guardian's Adams biography, Richard Dawkins' farewell piece, and the order of the memorial service.

The non-fiction by the man himself ranges from perhaps a dozen meaty articles and speeches to brief squibs, interview/questionnaire answers and tiny asides like:

We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works. How do you recognise something that is still technology? A good clue is if it comes with a manual.

There are enjoyable pieces on computers (especially), atheism, dogs, manta rays on the Great Barrier Reef, the Save the Rhino stunt climb, and PG Wodehouse. Much of the rest is ephemeral; you can't help reflecting that Adams himself never chose to collect all this lightweight newspaper work.

Lovers of his fiction will welcome the Hitch-Hiker-related short stories "The Private Life of Genghis Khan" and "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe", despite the latter's dreadfully dated political punch line.

What of The Salmon of Doubt itself, a quarter of this book? There's a glimpse of a far-future estate agent's utopia, a woman asking Dirk Gently to investigate a cat that's literally only half there (his puzzling reluctance to take the case may echo Adams' own feelings about the novel), Gently's capricious trip to America in response to an unknown client's total lack of instructions, the tragic death of a rhino as perceived by the rhino... Many teasing questions; we'll never know the answers.

Overall it's a must-have for devoted Adams fans and completists, a likely disappointment (though with pleasant exceptions) for new readers. --David Langford

'Douglas Adams created a new comic genre, and peopled a whole other world through his work' Financial Times*** 'His ability to connect cosmic ideas with the banal commonplaces of everyday life was unique' Stephen Fry*** 'With his fondness for paradox, his galactic perspective on things and his wonderful way with meaningful nonsense, his are the books that have launched a trillion quips... the Lewis Carroll of the twentieth century' Observer

‘Sheer delight . . . many plums of the authentic, irreplaceable genius of Douglas Adams’

‘One of the world’s sanest, smartest, kindest, funniest voices . . . worth devouring’

‘Will be a cause for dancing in the streets the world over’

‘A fantastic collection’

Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time...Edited and with an introduction by Christopher Cerf, The Salmon of Doubt & Other Writings comprises 50 pages of the late Douglas Adams' unfinished novel, The Salmon of Doubt, along with writings from 3,000 unpublished files stored on his computer harddrive. This collection is the unique last word from one of the world's most successful and best loved science fiction writers and represents an important, fascinating and characteristically hilarious legacy. Other potential inclusions are transcripts of the radio series Hitchhiker's Guide to the Future and Adams' essays, articles, and lectures.

Here is Douglas Adams's indispensable guide to life, the universe and everything. This sublime collection dips into the wit and wisdom of the man behind THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, uncovering his unique comic musings on everything from his school-trousers to malt whisky and from the letter Y through to his own nose, via atheism, hangovers and fried eggs. Including short stories and a lengthy unpublished Dirk Gently extract, THE SALMON OF DOUBT is for fans and new readers alike. These hilarious collected writings reveal the warmth, enthusiasm and ferocious intelligence behind this most English of comic writers; a man who was virtually an unofficial member of the Monty Python team. Douglas Adams on his passion for P. G. Wodehouse, The Beatles and the perfect cup of tea alone make this a must-have collection and a remarkable sign-off from one of the best loved writers of all time. 'One of the world's sanest, smartest, kindest, funniest voices' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 'Sheer delight' THE TIMES. 'Magical . . . read this book' SUNDAY EXPRESS --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

The late Douglas Adams was the best-selling author of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, the Universe and Everything; So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish; and Mostly Harmless. He also wrote Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul. In addition, he co-wrote The Deeper Meaning of Liff with John Lloyd and the travel and wildlife book Last Chance to See with Mark Carwardine. He has sold over 15 million books in English and is a bestseller in many other languages.