TERRY JONES
1 Amusing
Totally silly, but with a decent set of characters, clever plot ideas, and skilled prose. Way better than I expected.
2 Very funny in places, but weak
Starship Titanic is an entertaining book, with a wit and humor on par with Douglas Adams' books. That's pretty much where the similarity ends, however - lovers of Adams will notice the lack of good tech jokes, and my favorite Adams technique, the "puzzle-piece-plot-device", which is when odd and insignificant events are later explained as being cataclysmic. There are also numerous sexually explicit situations in the book, which, while quite amusing, are definitely not Adams material.
Because Starship Titanic is not an Adams book, I believe it should not be judged as such. As a result, the four stars this book deserves are not due to difference in writing styles, but to general lack of anything interesting -- while very funny in places, the plot is predictable and linear. The book also introduces characters that, while frequently discussed, are never really elaborated upon (Nigel and Titania come to mind).
Read Starship Titanic if you like good Pythonesque humor, but don't expect to find anything in the caliber of the Hitchhiker's Guide.
3 Don't Panic!: Not good, but better than it should be.
The best part of this book is the three and a half page introduction written by Douglas Adams. This isn't to say that the rest of the book isn't good; it is, a light and entertaining read. But Terry Jones never quite captures the careless levity that is the trademark of the Hitchiker Trilogy. In fact, while reading the book certain dialog and situations appear stilted, and it's only if you realize that most of these areas are the result of incorporating material from the computer game of the same name does it become more excusable.
Still, the result is a book that, while entertaining to read, wouldn't be particularly entertaining to read again. The short length of the book produces a feeling more of relief than regret, a sure sign of a thin plot.
4 Absurd, bizarre, and extremely funny
"Starship Titanic" may be a slight science-fiction novel, but one shouldn't expect Homer's "Odyssey" out of story based on about a paragraph of writing from Douglas Adams' renowned "Hitchhiker's Trilogy". Even if it lacks a deep story or meaningful characters, "Starship Titanic" still has many things going for it. For starters, it's a short book, clocking in at a reasonable 256 pages and it reads very fast. Second, it was written by former Monty Pythonite, Terry Jones (in the nude, no less, according to the introduction), which gives it such and absurd, off-the-wall effect that one cannot help but be amused and drawn in by this book.
The story of a wayward luxury spaceliner that finds itself (and a few unwelcome passengers) transported from its planetary system to the one that houses Earth. Some earthbound humans end up boarding the ship for the adventure and then try frantically to get the ship to take them back home when they realize it's leaving Earth. On top of that, saboteurs from the other planetary system have planted a super-deluxe bomb aboard to destroy the ship. The humans want to get back home, the designers of the ship want to prevent the bombing to save their economy, and everyone is trying to figure why they can't seem to get an upgrade to First Class even though they're the only people on the ship. It's unbelievable the level of absurdity that takes place in this book, but there is no doubting how much fun it is. There is a space battle against a species that tries fix everything it damaged after a battle even though they don't fire weapons that can do any damage; there's an intriguing sexual encounter between the Journalist from the other system and a human female in the desperate seconds before they think the bomb will destroy them all and the subsequent attempts by the Journalist to get that female to repeat the performance; and then there's the bomb, itself. Lacking a special memory crystal, the countdown for this bomb cannot by stopped. Yet, it seems possible to distract him from the countdown, causing him to lose his place and have to start over again.
Having yet to read Adam's "Hitchhiker's Trilogy" (now at five books), I cannot comment as to how this little tale fits into the overall arc of that story and how it meshes with his writing style. That being said, Jones' Pythonesque influence makes this one of the craziest books to come along in awhile and definitely worth reading.
5 an abomination
Get out of print already, "Starship Titanic". Your very existence is an insult.
6 Worst book I ever read
This is one, if not THE, worst book that I've ever read. If you're interested in the plot, go play the computer game instead of reading this book. Douglas Adams actually worked on the game, for one thing. It's like Myst meets Hitchhiker's Guide. It's fun, amusing, and it's got puzzles. The book, which he didn't have much of a hand in, is horrible. Really, trulely horrible. It's no wonder the game didn't sell all that well if this is what people read. This book is random, pointless, and not at all funny. I chucked it shortly after I got it. Of course, that meant I had to find some poor being to pawn it off on, so I donated it to a library instead. I actually feel sort of guilty about that, since it really was that horrible. What if *gasp* someone actually tries to read it?
7 A few good skits, a lot of wasted space.
Based on a line from D.A.'s
Hitchhiker's Guide, and the computer game spinoff. Terry Brooks, of Monty Python fame. About the Starship Titanic (surprise surprise!) which seems to undergo SMEF - Spontaneous Massive Existence Failure.
I'd gotten my hopes up before reading it, since it is a collaboration between two people whose humor I hold in very high esteem. But it just...fell flat. It's sort of amusing. But not. Several of the gags are ones which would make good skits (One of the characters reminds me of the skit where a couple goes to a marriage counselor, and the wife winds up hooking up with the counselor.) but horrible book premises. And Brooks seems to think that the funny name gag is just mega-hugely-HIGHlarious! Maybe if it was being read out loud or something - but if a name takes me a full minute to pronounce, I don't care
how silly it is, I'm just going to skip it. While Adams' hand is obviously visible, it isn't enough to turn the trick. It's simply yawnworthy. Not hard to finish, but that's just because it's a quick read. Besides the lack of real humor, I think I
hate some of the characters. I mean, the way that they're presented, it's obviously meant to make them comical - but they just come off as shallow, self-involved, manipulative. And I find myself asking the question - "Why do these people stay in these relationships?" He tries to save it in the end by explaining some of their actions - but it's too little, and far far too late. I should see signs of these emotional patterns
long before page 230 of a 240 page book. While Adams might not make his characters mega-super-heroes, but he at least makes them generally sympathetic. Or understandable. 3/10
8 The funny side of space opera
It seems a bit silly to try to review Starship Titanic. When Terry Jones of Monty Python fame writes a novel based on an idea by the late and always great Douglas Adams, well, need anyone say more?
Nonetheless, I will. For what it's worth, the style is distinctly that of Douglas Adams, though I've never read Terry Jones in written format so I don't know how he reads. Theirs was obviously a productive collaboration. Now, to be a blunt reviewer, the book is not perfect. The early pages are a bit light on humor. This is not compensated for by brilliant literary symbolism, character development, or any other terms that English professors know about but I can't think of right now. Frankly, he overdid the corny names gag for the aliens. But most of the book involves human characters and nameless robots.
Fortunately, Jones hits his stride after a few dozen pages and then things move along nicely. It's pure humor, but still manages a few plot twists, some sex, and some violence. It's a bit randier than the normal Douglas Adams fare, but check out the author portrait on the inside back cover for a real surprise. The only other complaint I have is that I finished it in one sitting. One can never have too much Hitchhiker's Guide, I mean Monty Python, um, I mean Starship Titanic.
P.S. After glancing at a few reviews, it is obvious that some people are missing the point. The storyline's origin is from a snippet in the original Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Although it was developed into a novel and a video game at the same time, each should be treated in its own right, and not evaluated as a derivative of the other. I haven't played the game, nor did I know of its existence until reading the introduction. See my above comments regarding the quality of the Novel, Starship Titanic.
9 Ugh! Not cohesive, amusing but not funny...
I really wanted to like this book as I really like both Adams and Jones.
Unfortunately the book is not cohesive. There are amusing lines and the potential for funny setups but it never really delivers. It needs more depth.
By the time I was done with the book I was not only suprized that it was already over but also left with that strange taste in my mouth, like when you eat some new foreign delicacy that leaves you wondering "What did I just eat and do I like this?".
This title is not at all worth the cover price. Only buy this at discount or better buy used.
10 Complete Mockery Of Game Storyboard
Introduction:
Loved the game, Disliked the book!
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I found this book to be a complete mockery of it's game origin. I found countless errors and pieces of conradictory information in this book regarding the starship and its crew and passengers that were hopelessly tried to be copied from the book in a failed attempt. But I found the begenning to be very creative and well tracked to the storyboard of the game plus a good ending. I also thought that some of the characters were poorly made including a nymphomaniac journalist and a (soon to be hopeless) couple plus the ship's crew (working bots) to have conradictory personalitys and vocabularitys to the identical ones in the game! Not only that but some of the technoligy is off-beat to the game including the end solution to get back to earth.
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Summary:
Bad storyline + facts not based on the game + nymphomaniac journalist + good beggening & ending - the touch and mind of the real Douglas Adams himself = the really dissapointing Starship Titanic book!
11 Well, I think it's fantastic
Not that it's a perfect book by any means- I could have done with less romanticism. But the humor is absurd and freewheeling, and it's a good short read- just enough to wind down after a long day at work. A collaboration worthy of it's participants.
12 Adams/Python Fans Beware: Iceberg, Right Ahead!
As a big fan of Douglas Adams' early books and a huge Monty Python fan, I readily bought this book when advertised in the most recent version of Hitchhiker's Guide. Starship Titanic (the ship) may be able to travel to the outer spiral of the Galaxy in 3 Dormillian days, but Starship Titanic the book goes nowhere slowly. Populated with shallow characters that are not so much unlikable as they are incapable of generating any feeling toward them at all, the thin plot plods unentertainingly through its mercifully brief 245 pages.
13 Absurdist Science Fiction Humor in the Hitchhikers tradition
This was a quick, amusing and entertaining read. Terry Jones writes in a style evocative of Douglas Adams. Unfortunately, his ending was as slapped together as in many of Adams's books. However, this short book has the same type of parodying humor that cleverly makes fun of our current society and mores through the views of several wacked out alien cultures. Alas, this book is short, so instead of being published as a novella, the font and line spacing are cranked up to double the page length. As 3 humans stumble onto the ill-fated Starship Titanic on a brief voyage around the galaxy, one can see the imprint of Douglas Adams's brilliant mind on the adventure. And who better to write an absurdist book than a former Python.
14 Shallow, poorly written
Shallow, incredibly 2D characters. Fast but moderately predictable plot. Douglas Adams style humor in the plot, but not the writing. Terry Jones makes it obvious why he writes for movies and TV but isn't a novelist. Badly interrupted dialogue. Overall, not particularly funny; hard to read; and the only redeemable characteristic is the rather good introduction by Douglas Adams himself, and that just describes the process of how the book was written.
15 Good enough
What do I mean by "good enough"? Exactly that. At a paltry 250 sparsely spaced pages (or should that be densely spaced and sparsely worded?) this boook takes you all of one afternoon to read. And looking at it in those terms, it's worth the sit down. But little more.
As you discover in the intro by Adams, the book is in parallel with the game (which I have not played). And in those terms, Jones does a great job in making you feel like you're playing a game in book form...with the minor problem that you can't actually control the characters. Ok, so that's a flaw.
But seriously, if you expect an Adams-esque read that is based on an adventure video game, well then you won't be disappointed. The style is very much like later Adams works, so you hardy notice any difference between Jones and Adams. Now, one should not confuse this with early Adams work. Because it's clearly more scatterbrained and even more over the edge that his early works were.
Adams used to write with a quirkiness that amused the reader. Jones writes with a quirkiness that annoys the reader at times. There's a fine line between being funny and having little to say but saying it dressed up in drag and squalking like a chiken. Jones crosses that line a tad too often for my tastes and as a result, you find yourself thinking, "Get on with it already."
All in all, I have to stand by my 3 star rating because coming into it, my expectations were very low for this book...and so should yours be. I bought it at a bookstore down the road for $... in the bargain bin. I think that's all you need to say so far as expectations go. They were not great.
With that in mind, the book entertained sufficiently. And it very much resembled a video game structure so far as plot goes. And it was short, so I did not spend too much of my life being mildly amused at times.
To use a phrase that others have in various reviews I have read, you could spend yout time in a lot worse ways. Naturally, the reverse can be said. Essentially, proceed at your own risk.
16 If you loved "Hitchhiker's Guide"...
If you LOVED "Hitchhiker's Guide", than you will very much like this one. A whole different cast of characters embarks on a new journey through space as 3 friends from Earth find themselves trapped on the greatest and most fantastic luxury space ship ever when it lands in their back yard. To make matters worse, the ship has a bomb on board that is counting down. There is a planet of people who have invested their entire economy into crafting this ship, and an alien journalist on board who wants nothing more than the scoop of the millenium. It has the same, hillarious, ironic humor that made the Guide so great and a new set of characters to keep it fresh. It's not as great as the Guide, but it holds its own.
17 There is a good side to it: it's short!
Let us start with a quick quiz: in which city does the London Bridge stand? Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA. OK, another one: who wrote Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic? Well, Terry Jones, of course.
So what does Douglas Adams have to do with Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic, if anything at all? Well, he is the author of a storyline for a computer game of the same name. I believe that the phrase "a novel written after the computer game" pretty well summarizes it, and prepares the reader for the quality of plot (s)he is to encounter. If you are considering yourself a great fan of British humour, please try to forget the names Douglas Adams and Terry Jones for a moment and re-evaluate it pretending that it was written by an unknown author from Ukraine, or Nebraska. See what's in it?
As a great fan of Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy from over twenty years ago, I have saddenly observed the stagnation and decline in originality and quality in its author's later works. It's sad to see Douglas Adams and Terry Jones (ex Monty Python's Flying Circus) themselves prostituiting like this. Really sad.
18 Horrible.
This book is just horrible. I can't see a grade schooler turning this in and getting more than a C-. The attempts at humour fail miserably. The plot (and there is only one, and you can hardly call it a plot) is entirely uninteresting. This also bears no resemblance to Douglas Adams' writing, nor does it even give you any insight into the Hitchhiker's universe. I'm embarrassed to even own this book. I'm surprised Douglas Adams agreed to let his name be put on the book. Read something else.
19 "PARROT DROPPINGS!"
The funniest book in existance! So funny i fell out of my bed whilst reading the bloody thing! A great book, must read. Please read it, in memory of Douglas Adams.
20 Humourous but very, very Adult
I've been told that Sex is what got me here, so I shouldn't be disgusted. I suppose I shouldn't. But what am I to think of a book that talks about it so excessively and describes it so explicitly? Don't get me wrong, I think it's quite a funny book. At least for about the first half. The second half started out disgustingly raunchy, then not quite so raunchy as it was eye rolling. I liked the characters in the book during the first half. I thought that they were witty and inventive. Then, much to my dismay, Sex was introduced to the story. All the morals the characters seemed to have in the first half suddenly vanished! I love both Douglas Adams and Terry Jones. I thought that the idea for the story was a good one. But it seriously could have been cleaner. At least now I know why it's in the adult section in the Public Library, tucked behind Peirs Anthony and Terry Brooks.
21 Monty Pythin does sci-fi
A pretty good parody of sci-fi that gave me a few chuckles, but not enough to want to read it again.
22 Read it three times
I loved this book! It was funny and a good read, an all-around entertaining novel. A good book for anyone who just wants to laugh.
23 wildely creative
Douglas Adams and Terry Jones are among the most humourous authors out there. From the beginning to the end this book is both funny and it does keep you on the edge of your seat. Turning the page in this book is like turning a corner, you find something new each time.
Although some parts in the book are rated R, and even X, it is still a good book to read. The language in some parts is a bit more than one could hope for, but if you look over that it is a very funny, and exciting book.
Leoventus has made a huge technologicular advance, and has created the Starship Titanic. But, when he changed work crews to Blerontonians, the work became very shotty, and the day before launch the ship is not at ALL finished and his Titania is a mess! From there everything gets too crazy and it would be hard to explain. There is a talking Bomb, which is very nice, and some crazed rabbits (Terry Jones for ya), and small men, that strangely enough remind you of lawn gnomes.
This book is smartely written, and very creatievely written, so when you plunge into this book, be prepared for the unimaginable and unexplainable.
Mark_Sigel
24 Another sinking!
While I thoroughly enjoyed the Hitchhiker series, I found this story most lacking in the wild lurches of plot that sustained the humor of Adams' other series. I have the computer game and I'm not certain it's any better.
25 disappointment
I have other books by Douglas Adams and by Terry Jones. I was fired up to see both authors on one title. But this book was lame! The charsacters are annoying, the plot is pointless. Uggh.
26 seems like all the negative reviews are of the wrong product
I haven't yet tried it out, but the CDROM version of Starship Titanic, which is (as the Amazon reviewer points out) a game, not a book, has gotten rave reviews in the New York Times, many PC magazines, USA Today, etc. That's why I was surprised to see all the negative reviews here... but it appears they are all reviews of the book by the same name (which I believe was written after the game was released and so is a sort-of novelization).
27 sell-out
1) That you read this in one sitting is no recommendation. You also read the back of your cereal box in one sitting--in which case, at least, you have something to chew on.
2) So it's unfair to expect Douglas Adams? Then why does his name appear at the very top of the cover in very large letters (in letters significantly larger than those in which Terry Jones's name appears at the very bottom of the cover)? Given "Starship Titanic"'s marketing, it is perfectly fair to judge it by Douglas Adams's standard, but however you judge it it's awful.
3) On the other hand, some persons actually profess to like it. I can only suggest that not every Douglas Adams reader is capable of actually appreciating Douglas Adams, that some are merely pretending.
Do NOT pay money for this book. You have been warned.
28 ugh
The unkindest cut of all is that no one has yet pulled the plug on this...um...thing...and yet "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency", Douglas Adams's best novel and one of the most cleverly constructed novels I've ever encountered (including classics such as "Tom Jones"), is actually out of print. Why? Why? Why?
29 Awesome book
Entertaining book. The characters are likeable and real (even the robots). Jones does a good job of satirizing different types of people and situations. As an ex-travel agent I found the parts where the characters were trying to upgrade true to life, which just made them even more amusing. The sex 'scenes' were laugh outloud funny - those who think they were excessive probably don't get the joke and need to meet some typical slobbering college boys ;o). Here's hoping they make a movie of it one day! If you like Monty Python you'll love this book.
30 Not smegorific or zarking great, but pretty good all 'round
The only things wrong with this book are an overdose on tantalisation and imperfect character development, but aside from those this book is great. I'd give it five stars if there weren't that little bit too much sex in it, but there is, so I won't.
31 Funny book
I thought the book was very funny and entertaining. There's also an amazing coincidence, my name is Nancy, I'm 19, and about to major in Art History, you have to read the book to find out why that's a coincidence.
32 Wasted talent
Take a computer game written by hilarious author Douglas Adams, get Monty Python's Terry Jones to write the novel (naked), and you get...a novel that reads like it was based on a computer game. Some talent shines through, but not worth it for me.
33 A great book
Alright it is no HHGG but it is really funny the bots are hillarious the bomb is the most funny of all though. It had only one flaw: to much sex
34 A good book
I liked this book I don't think it matches with The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galexy it had a lot of good jokes, but in the middle it had a little crumble in the plot.
35 ST is a titanic achievement of small proportions...
Starthip Titanic is one of those rare treats, or "sleepers" as the saying goes. Though rather derivative of the original Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy, its characters are much more crisp and realistic, with more understanbable goals. I am glad that the dialogue was so ribald -- reminds me of a modern Chaucer in its delivery. Very funny and refreshing.
My only complaint consists of three things: (1) It's too short by at least a half! and (2) Why hasn't there been a movie made of this! and (3) There weren't any parrot jokes in the novel.
I believe the parrot should have more say in this novel, plus twice as many chapters devoted to parrot jokes of all sorts! Maybe if Mr. Polly were to wear a silly paper hat all might be forgiven! Think hard on this!
*SQWAWK*
36 Starship Titanic is a good book.
Starship Titanic is a good book, but not compared to the books by Douglas Adams. Terry Jones' charactor development is not as good, and Adams did a better job of kepping his books intrusting- If you are consiering bying this book becuse of Douglas Adams' name on the cover, you may be disapointed, but probably will not.
37 Excellent, Excellent game!
I first took notice of the Starship Titanic about 2 years ago. But due to lack of funds and equipment I was unable to buy the game. I only wish now that I had actually played the game then. Starship Titanic is one of the best examples of modern gaming on the market today. Adam's take a legendary story and combines it with futuristic fantasy to create a monument that far exceeds the expectations. However, everything has a downside. For those of you with little patience, this game is not for you. It requires a great deal of patience and creativity. Also, it could give you a little more to do inbetween lift rides up and down the well. But I don't want to spoil the game, check it out nonetheless.
38 Wow, what a disappointment.
I'm so bummed. I thought that this would be a really great book, well within the spirit and method of Douglas Adams. What a crushing disappointment. The dialog is wooden, the characters shallow, hopeless caricatures of themselves, there's no motivation for their actions, and the writing reads like a parody of Douglas Adams. I'm only halfway through, and I don't find the book engaging, interesting, or even vaguely engaging. I must admit that I've read nothing by Terry Jones in the past, but I am a huge fan of Douglas Adams, and have read all of his books several times. For those that might be interesting in purchasing this, I discourage you from doing so. It is, in my mind, the only flaw in the writings of Douglas Adams. Although he did not write it, he certainly had a hand in it. I'm left wondering: What was he thinking?
39 surReality Check!
So many people are griping that this isn't The Hitchikers Guide, well we bloody well know that! Mr. Adems states quite plainly in the newest addition of The Guide that it was the creation of freak circumstances and too much grolsh on an empty stomach. We must see this book as the unique work of art that it is. By the way they're paying me to write this by the character so I'll add a few seldom used ones:Z ^ {|;# thank you.
40 It was not written by Douglas Adams
I was quite suprised to learn from the book's introduction that it was not written by Douglas Adams, even though he is listed as the first author on the book. It was somewhat entertaining, but it definately was not the quality I have come to expect from Douglas Adams.
41 Good, funny, and in line with Douglas Adams' fare
Terry Jones isn't Douglas Adams, for sure, but he's damn close. While this reader didn't care for the scenes involving The Journalist and Lucy, the rest of the book is funny. The Bomb is funny, if a smartass, and you have to like the characters. Oh, damn, now you've made me lose count. Recommencing countdown. One thousand. Nine hundred and ninety-nine. Nine hundred and ninety-seven...
42 The game is awesome!
I think you guys haven't been with the game enough. When you play it, it really puzzles you. But you can just play around with the Bots. You guys probably haven't read the magazine. Most of the answers are in there. Not to mention that each sentence, ad and announcement is funny. You really need to use each of the senses. The Music room and Bomb and Titanic Tittalator are really easy if you use your common sense, do stuff the most practical way, and realize that the Succ-U-Bus doesn't like sauces.
This is the best video game I've seen. My friend started putting it down, but once he started playing it, he wouldn't stop, even to eat. The graphics are amazing, the casting and voices are unreal, and the whole plot is downright funny!
43 The Hitchhiker's Guide it is NOT, but a fun read nonetheless
After reading all of Douglas Adams books, I found reading someone elses words (although Mr. Adams idea/outline) to be somewhat odd. It was like blowing my nose and wondering afterwards if that was really my snot in the rag. It felt good when I was done, but left me with a feeling that something was amiss. British dry humor has always appealed to me, so Starship Titanic will fill a nice niche in my "Books to Read While Traveling on Vacation" shelf. Don't expect too much from this book...just have a nice cup of tea and enjoy.
44 The game that went wrong
I played this game for about two hours before becoming sick of it! The graphics were great, but so what? It felt like a bad copy of Myst. Had it been more original and less... glossy...perhaps I would have liked it.
45 The Game was okay but................
I was a bit dissapointed in the book.I loved the game though!It would probably be the best game i've ever played.I loved the graphics but it is true once the glitz wears off it does take a long time to go to a room.I also think it lacked use of english language.The book and the game were completely different.
46 A story to take you away from life temporarily
"Titanic" took me to far ends of the galaxy for about 10 minutes a night for a month. A fun and enjoyable story. One could just imagine the ship's magnificence. The plot was hard to believe but that the way these novels go.
47 Don't waste your money on this one
I played the computer game, I got the book. I loved the game, I destested the book. It was ridiculous. Absolutely nothing happened, and it in no way resembled the game. For example, the main idea of the game was to find the parts to a cyborg's face and brain. They did mention this in the book, but it took up about a paragraph. The book shouldn't even have the same title as the game.
48 Not as good as the Hitchiker series
I found this book humorous and in the same vien as the Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy series, I did enjoy the one evening that it took to read this book. I found that it was not as good as the Hitchiker series but it did have some really good laughs in it.
49 Good
U guys are idiots man it was a great book and there was plenty of u know what
50 A book that should have undergone SMEF itself.
The worst thing that Douglas Adams could ever have done was to allow someone to write his book for him. Starship Titanic showed great promise, based as it was upon Adams' ideas. Had it been written by him, it would have contained his exquisite use of the English language, his humour, and would have had far more relevance to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy. Instead, it was entrusted to someone who evidently had no interest in producing a memorable piece of work. The humour, as has been said, is infantile. And yet the book cannot even be said to be aimed at children, owing to the often somewhat risque subject matter. I have not as yet seen the game, which I am sure is a far superior product to Jones' novel (as I must laughingly describe it). The characters are pale and, paradoxically, have no character. The plot, under the author's oafish pen, is quickly ruined and rendered inelegant. An extremely disappointing read.
51 Funny, Smart, and Amusing!
I think Starship Titanic had a great plotline but could've been writen a smigin better. Just one question for Terry, why did you leave the parrot out of the story and made it a big deal in the CD-rom.
52 Good, but not THAT good
I read this book expecting something along the lines of the hitchhiker's trilogy. I got something completely different, but funny in it's own way. I attribute it to the book not being written by Adams himself. Terry, if you read this, write a book of your own, OK?
53 A beautiful and luxurious ship of it's kind .Lovely forever.
When I first got starship in March '98 I was stunned by the amazing talking device that it had to actually talk with the bots. I am 13 and I see alot of adults using this game. It's great for any age over 10 and has great treats to share with the whole family.
54 It's defininetly a game worth getting!
Even though it took up a load of memory and took forever (give or take a few weeks) to complete, it was certainly the best game I have ever played. The language interaction isn't just cool, it's downright fun. The game is extremely complicated, but the people who made it are real user-friendly, and made a strategy guide for people like me who often get stuck. Once you get yourself going on this game, it's pretty hard to stop. The game is extremely creative and extremely fun as well. I might add that this game is not for people with little patience. You'll never complete the game if you're all tense. I could tell you why, but that would be a spoiler.
55 Good, but Douglas Adams would have done better
When I bought the book, I was expecting the humor one finds in the Hitchiker Trilogy ( I know there are more than three books, but that is what it is called), but I did not. Terry Jones made an attempt that was not to the full of his abilities. Although, I believe that it was an interesting book, yet it could have been longer, more jokes, and a little less sex ( I can't believe I said that!)
56 possibly the worst novel ever written
The plot has promise, but the execution is incompetent, and the (attempts at) humor infantile. Let this be a lesson to us all: do not allow someone else to write your novel.
57 Our Titanic sunk; Starship Titanic stunk.
The cover was attractive. The misleading monicer 'Douglas Adams' Starship Titanic' was promising. Having Python troupe member Terry Jones' name on the byline piqued my interest. But this book is terrible. The Hitchhiker's Guide was founded on startling imagination, and priceless turns of phrases. Never before had a read an author who so joyously experimented with language as Adams did in his Hitchhiker series -- and I fear I may never again. Jones' weak novel might well have been imagined in one 15 minute seating: there are no memorable characters, no ingenuous planets, no hillarious creatures, no sparkling exchanges of dialogue. What little chuckles reside in this book are temporary: readers won't be recalling them throughout their life as hysterical social commentary, much like I still do with the Hitchhiker series. I will tell you the funniest part: there is a self-destruct mechanism which is accidentally set in motion, and the computer begins to count down the seconds to detonation. With no other idea of how to stop their doom, one of the drab characters (I don't even care who, anymore) goes down and talks to the computer to make it lose count. This the computer does, until it realizes it's being duped, and then it begins to count resentfully again, and again he is distracted... Not worth it, folks. Watch Life of Brian, or read Mostly Harmless. Or flog yourself with belts -- just don't read Starship Titanic.
58 A Sad Attempt to Market Douglas Adams's Name
If Douglas Adams were dead, he'd be spinning in his grave. This book, billed as a 'Douglas Adams' novel, is really just a very cheap attempt by Terry Jones (a very funny man) to write a book in the Adams style. It does not come off very well -- in fact, it reads rather like a piece of low quality high school fiction. The book is based on a stragegy game by the same name which was designed by Douglas Adams -- the book appears to be an afterthought inspired by the game. So, if you're looking for some new material from Douglas Adams, get the game, or go back and re-read some of the classic Hitchhikers or Dirk Gently novels. You won't find anything of that calibre here.
59 Arguably The Best Game I Have Ever Played!
Beside the fact that it seems to take forever to get going, Starship Titanic is arguably the best game I have ever played! The smart-alec remarks of the robots are hillarious, and the puzzles are fun and challenging. And now, the downers: If the action was more continuous in the game, however, I would have definately given it a five. Also, it takes a HUGE chunk of your computers memory. Still, exploring the ship, solving the puzzles, and talking to the bots is just great. It's definately worth the buy.
60 Worse than Myst (I wouldn't have thought I'd say that)
... and I HATED Myst. All the things that Myst gets right, ST does, too. Unfortunately, that's a list which doesn't include gameplay or story. ST is gorgeous, but the puzzles are insulting and illogical. Much of the game is spent fighting with deliberately bad interfaces and user-hostile computers. If I wanted that, I'd have just stayed in Windows.
61 Bought for the Reader - Book Fair to Good
Although I had read the Hitchhiker's Series, was unsure about this one, until I saw Terry Jones was the reader. He made the audiobook. As for the book itself, pretty good, especially the bomb. Probably one I won't re-listen to.
62 A Fabulous adventure in slightly unfinished luxury
I truly love Starship Titanic. It is wondrous, luxurious, stimulating, hilarious, and incredible. You will be stunned by the detailed interiors, sophisticated robots, and ingenious navigation system. My only complaint is that there isn't more of it! I pray there is a sequel planned, and that it's going to be five CD's instead of 3. I simply cannot get enough of Starship Titanic!
Douglas Adams and the Digital Village have truly out-done themselves. This game is a very tastefully appointed evolution of the text-based adventure games of yore. It's like the original HHGG Infocom game, except with an incredible new text parsing engine and top-notch digital imaging borne of Soft Image. The enormous effort, wit, and clear thinking put into this game is vividly evident behind every corner and in every joke. Thank you all for creating this wonderful masterpiece, you have set a high standard for adventure games to come.
Starship Titanic is a landmark, ground breaking product. I encourage everyone to purchase this game, play it, and share it with friends and family. You will not be dissapointed, guaranteed.
63 What a srtange book.
Starship Titanic is a curiosity. I read it in one day, but I really don't think that it mattered that I read it at all. I enjoyed it, but I am not sure that I really am glad that I read it. It is based on a video game and I just didn't understand much of the action (mostly sex and arguing about free upgrades). I would recommend this book only to Adams or Python fans. First timers shoould read The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
64 All around general hilarity and psychosis.
What do you get when you try and fit hysterical laughter, mad parrots with a passion with pistachios, lascvicious aliens, (And lamps) crazy robots, intense sex, Douglas Adams, Terry Jones, and a ship named Titanic into 241 pages?
You get a book.
I thought it was, despite all the other reviews, pretty good. It was fairly obvious from the start that there would not be any Adams intricacy that I enjoy.
So?
It was a beautiful book, but not without it's flaws.
1. It's too nice.
2. It's too good.
3. It made me talk in paradoxes for three days afterward.
Other than that, it was good.
Things that I learned from Starship Titanic:
Lucy has one helluva libido.
Don't argue with deskbots. To quote Marsinta 'Obviously you're mistaking me for a deskbot who gives a damn'
Gondola operators stink.
Gentlemen. We're screwed.
Titania is worse than Deep Blue.
SMEF (Spontaneous Massive Existance Failure) is somewhat like an iceberg.
SD guns can be given to children.
Cub reporters are nice.
Leovinus was a nutcase.
And I think that's all.
Yours, Calvin Wong
65 Brilliant portait of technology failures and their humor
Great, every bit as good as Hitchhiker's trilog
66 STARSHIP TITANIC ROCKS!!!!
this game is the most fun i've ever had! it's challanges are not disappointing, and the interface is outstanding. unlike myst and riven, this gamekeeps you laughing and amused througout the entire game! you can even have full conversations with the robots! GO BUY IT TODAY!!!!
67 Quite amusing and satisfactory, while not pure DNA
Though it lacks the intricacy that is the signature of Adams, I find this a refreshing take on the video game's plot, and grant that its want for subplots is the cost of bearing the same name. Overall, a pleasing experience.
68 Overall, an exellent game.
Starship Tianic is a masterpiece of atmosphere, created by the astounding graphics and music. The problems, though, are near impossable. You MUST have the stratigy guide to get through this game. It takes up LOTS of hard drive, but the conversations with the robots (and parrot) are revolutionary. This is a good game for experienced players.
69 Starship Titanic just... went wrong
Starship Titanic is quite possibly the most disappointing game release I have ever purchased. With an allstar cast from Monty Python, and a plot presumably based on Douglas Adams' book of the same name, Starship Titanic could not possible go wrong....
.... except it did. Granted, the gorgeous design and graphics (reminiscent of a fusion of art deco and the "streamlined look" of American design of the early half of this century) make for a stunning visual effect. But this magic is marred by clumsy navigation and a balky "natural language" interface. On a more picky level, once the glitz wears off, it just takes too darn long to get from room to room.
The puzzles of Starship Titanic are trivial, pedantic, and often just plain silly ("disarming" the Maitre d' Bot comes to mind). Often the solutions require little more than fumbling about, or the limitless patience of slogging from room to room. Solving the game provides more of a sense of relief than intellectual achievement.
I had hoped to experience some of the incomparable wit of Douglas Adams in this game, but was disappointed on that score too. Humor was almost non-existent, surfacing only in portions of the dialog (most notably with the irritable Bomb, and the irritating Parrot). If you are looking to relive the hilarity of the Hitchhiker series...look elsewhere.
70 Just can't pull it off...
Adams puts a large number of diversions and subplots that add to the ultimate goal of the "Hitchhiker" and "Dirk Gently" Series: exploring human nature through the bizarre. ("What?" I can hear 12-year-olds screaming, "You mean it's not just escape fiction?") Unfortunately, Jones doesn't reach that level, and _Starship_ tends to remain at the silly and shallow.
71 Promise & Promiscuity
I'm sure that was the title of a Blackadder the 3rd episode but it makes sense for this book. The characters are not flat, the plot is fast paced and highly enjoyable. I read it after completing the CD Rom adventure game of the same name. It really worked for me as a fan of both Monty Python and Douglas Adams and the humor is a really big hit with me! Read it and enjoy it, don't pick it to pieces, it wasn't written for that!
72 It was a funny yet action packed adventure.
It was an interesting story packed with comedy and action. It is about a starship that crashes into a house on Earth and the humans who board the ship and then end up having to fix it to get back home after it leaves Earth with them on it.
73 Monty Python members fails to grip as Adams surrogate
Terry Jones tries hard. You have to give him that. His one-liners may be great, but he fails to emulate Douglas Adams in furnishing that essential interconnectedness of the Hitchhiker's trilogy, with plots, sub-plots, sub-sub-plots, ad nauseam, all explained and part of a fine, funny fabric. This is a take-off on the Titanic and unfortunately for Jones, this will also sink without a trace, and no, no mega-million blockbuster will be filmed of it.
74 About as Lightweight a Sci-Fi Book as You Can Get
It will remind you of those booklets that come with some computer games that purport to tell the story behind the game you are about to play, except this one is more cleverly written and occasionally delightfully silly. PLEASE don't think about taking it too seriously. Most of the technology is now easily recognizable Douglas Adams fare, like the translation solutions. It's such a quick read that you won't believe it when it ends, rather suddenly. Too bad it grew up in the shadow of the resurgence of interest in that "other" Titanic. It coulda been a contender.
75 Monty Python goes galactic.
Listening to this book has got to be more fun than just reading it because of the wonderful voice of Terry Jones. It brings back memories of that fun, and silly show "Monty Python." Sure, it's inane, but if you liked Python, you'll like this book.
76 Just great.
Terry Jones and Douglas Adams make a great team with the book full of love but it is mostly funny.
77 A game to rival Myst and Riven!
This game offers everything the 2 legendary adventure games of Myst and Riven, and then some. The graphics are astounding, and the talk-to-the-characters technology is amazing. Plus, this game has what Myst and Riven lacked: Humor. Being made by the great writer Douglas Adams, and with a little help from Terry Jones (Monty Python's Flying Circus), this game has a deranged mind of it's own that you'll find hysterical! Buy it! I'm not kidding!
78 I'm saddened by this publication
I guess I should blame it on Douglas Adams for having the idea in the idea in the first place, but I CAN'T! He's my favorite author! I'm still having trouble dealing with the fact that he produced this.
Still, I could blame Terry Jones for writing the stupid thing, but I CAN'T! Monty Python was the greatest comedy troupe ever! I could always count on him to give a funny one-liner or to do that great screaming woman voice. I'm having trouble dealing with the fact that he wrote this. All those sex jokes in the second half, give me a break! It gets old quick.
I only gave this 2 stars because, even through its faults, ther are a few funny scenes involving robots.
79 Great read, but based on the game?
I really enjoyed reading this story. If I hadn't known better, I'd have sworn it was by Douglas Admas and not Terry Jones! The beginning few chapters are very annoying and boring, but the book gets better later. This would have been much better if Douglas Adam's made it BEFORE he had the game was made. Because he had to work from the game's ideas, T.J. made the book to confusing at some points. To sum it up: Good read, annoying parts, but funny to the end. Oh, and the sex parts were great :-).
80 The Titanic sinks again
I read this book on a nine hour flight. The reason it took so long was the fact that I actually would sit stunned that men who have made me laugh hard enough to hurt could have writen this drivel. This book is great for readers in the age 8-12 group, maybe it will turn them on to reading amusing science-fiction, then again, it might just drive them away.
Please, Doug, one more book. Please redeem yourself after this embarassment, restore your name. (This applies to the author as well!)
81 A commercial for the computer game
This book was written entirely to promote and support the computer game Starship Titanic. This is not a true Douglas Adams book, and he should be embarrassed to have lent his name to such a blatantly commercial product. This book is the equivilent of the pulp novels written after movies are completed in order to promote them. Play the game Starship Titanic on your computer, but don't waste your time on the book. If you want to read some good science fiction, try Philip K. Dick.
82 Best game I've ever played!
I thought Starship Titanic was the best computer game I've every played. The game has the best graphics, sound and being able to interact with the robots is a first. I highly recommend this game to anyone...
83 Douglas Adams fans should keep away from this book
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. How Douglas Adams could allow this crap to be published under his name completely puzzles me. I'm really disappointed that Adams lets his fans pay good money for such lousy reading.The plot is non-existing, the characters are flat and uninteresting and the whole thing is meaningless. It's a pity, because I really looked forward to this book and have enjoyed Adams's other work immensely.
84 Awesome!
This is one of the coolest games I have seen. I bought it, tried it and haven't looked back. The best part of the game is the text interface with the Bots. If you are tempted to get it, go get it! it's great!
85 Readable
This book is funny. Nice. Homoristic-sci-fi preatty good. But if you write "Douglas Addams" and "terry Jones" on the cover, you need to do more then just funny! I think the idea of writing a book AFTER you making the game need more thoughts. This book is nice, and it is all toghether readable (I read it in 3 hours). But it don't really worth the names on it.
86 Really Entertaining !!
Not having read "Hitchhiker's..."(so shoot me!), I did not have any expectations prior to reading "Starship Titanic". I picked it up on a whim for just $5 from a 2nd-hand bookshop, and ended up reading most of it on the way back home! I did find it entertaining, and very funny. Jones' way of combining Earthly wackiness with alien life and characters made me forget they were aliens, and just accept them as normal folk - which they were (on their own planets)! The blend of zany situations described in an almost matter-of-fact manner made for a usually hilarious book. I got a number of rather odd looks from fellow bus-passengers, but just couldn't stop! I was also in the middle of a number of rather weighty assessments for University - but that didn't stop me either! I have never actually read a book that I "couldn't put down"... and always thought that was a rather cliched and exaggerated expression, but it did apply to this book. It's definitely a good, if not great read!
87 Wonderful fun
This game is often likened to Myst. However I hated Myst and loved this game. The game can be as annoying as Myst but there is a great chat group on the Starship Titanic webpage which can help. The game is as good looking as Myst but it is far funnier and interactive. The voice engines for the various robots is very good. The humour is very similar to the authours novels, so if you liked them you will love this game.
88 Just so much worthless crap.
I have never seen anything so terrible in all of my natural life. Bad plot, bad characters, bad EVERYTHING! I go into a coma just thinking about it. Well, I didn't actually SEE anything, but it sounds like it could be less than perfect. Maybe.
89 Really Fun!
The game is so funny and it allows you to type whatever you want. The grapics are great and the music should have a soundtrack(hint,hint,wink,wink) I also thought that the bomb is the funniest thing I have ever heard even though it is a little absent minded. If you are thinking about bying it-DO IT ALREADY- you won't regret it.
90 Actually rather bad...
After hassling my bookstore for three days (a while ago), I got my hands on the book and read it in one go. Not because is was very good, but because I was waiting for the fun to start, which never really did. I finished the book, tossed it in a corner (far away from my other, loved, DNA stuff) where it'll probably stay for the rest of its sorry life. I felt somewhat had, because I had bought a book which sole purpose was to sell a lot of books (DNA fans will buy anything he puts his name on) and a lot of computergames. It has it's funny moments, but the way in which the very simple story is told is shallow and never makes one wish it was longer. One of the biggest mistakes is the title: It's just extremely tacky and lacks every kind of creativity. Anyone could come up with a title like that. Just not a good book.
Douglas (if you read this, as you should): Move somewhere really remote, bring your laptop with only a word processor installed and start working!
91 Not worth the paper written on
I really can not think of a book (lucky me) which is any worse that this one. It is like someone took some bits and pieces and put something he thought is funny (well, a little perhaps) together...
I really would like to know why Douglas let his name to be used on this book. Very sad.
92 Sure, if it turns you on...
Some real good hours of fine "Doulas Adams Madness". It's really fun to se Terry Jones trying to take on this project, wich otherwise, as we know, could only have been written by mr. Adams himself. Sadly, he does not quite cut it.
It seems to me as if hes afraid to wright it in hes own style and tries to do it as Adams would have. Of course it's great fun to throgh in a fish-paste sandwich from nowhere on the very first page of the book, but it lacks that sence of a special deeper background thougt that Douglas always involves. You know the one which makes you think: "hey thats another way of seeng things, maybe thats thats a way of tackeling life. Maybe its even the point of it all... No I could just as well go and hang myself in this very moment."
Furthermore I think the ending of the novel is pretty lame. I mean, all they had to do was to find Leovinus and get Titanias brain back in time; and they did it! Hurra!!! I ecspect something more out of a Douglas Adams project. Something Extra.
No, enough, this was a damn good book and I strongly recomend it to anyone.
93 I like it! I like it!
This is one of the best books I've ever read. The story is extremely clever and will keep you guessing until you've finished the last page. And it's very funny indeed. I just can't get over the feeling of how much I like this book!
94 Don't read it as a Douglas Adams Book!
The book is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. You just can't read it as a Douglas Adams Book... I am sure it would have gotten better reviews if it was just called Starship Titanic... Kept me interested..
95 Quite alright, but not as good as The Hitchhiker-series
I'm a big fan of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker-series, although I thought it got a bit less entertaining in the end. The Starship Titanic was an alright read, I found it amusing, but really not as funny or imaginative as the Hitchhiker-books. Some parts were better than others, and if you like Adams and Monty Python etc. it's OK. It might be better as a computer game, though
96 Well, I liked it!
Anyone who was expecting this to be another Hitchhiker's book deserves to be disappointed. However, it is still a fun romp through a marginally insane universe. Kudos to Jones for wrapping a story line around a yet-to-be-seen computer game; he managed to tell us about the game without giving anything away.
97 Disappointing
Starship Titanic is about the largest, most lavishly decorated first class space cruiser ever build. But being called Titanic, it will not doubt come as a surprise to few readers that it undergoes a Spontaneous Massive Existence Failure when launched. Apart from that, Murphy's law appears to be a natural and integral part of the Starship.
The story is written by Terry Jones commissioned by Douglas Adams on the grounds that he didn't have the time himself to do it. Terry Jones almost fails to do a reasonable job given the preconditions and his utter lack of dress style (he allegedly did it in the nude).
The concepts of the story should have be entertaining as they are very Adams'k, but Terry produces something almost, but not quite, entirely unlike Adams's writing.
The jokes are presented in a cumbersome way. The build-up to the one-liners are too long-winded and makes the jokes predictable. It's very close to being not funny.
The actions are described in a flat and uninspired way. There are too few surprising in-line on-the-head view points, which I love in Adams's writing.
It is fairly obvious, apart from the introduction mentioning it, that the book is based on a computer game, rather that the other way around. It's as if the story have a predefined set of points it has to go through, like dots in a connect-the-dots drawing. Terry Jones dutifully connects all the dots but doesn't add much in between. It all seems rather crude and left-handed to me.
In short, Terry tells it in much the same way that Adams don't. I'm disappointed. I'd rather read some Vogon poetry. Somebody ought to do a re-write before too many readers are subjected to it.
98 Novel or script?
A good rule of thumb; If you are a good movie director or actor, don't write a book. Starship Titanic, when read like a movie script, is quite good. But for us book lovers out here, please try again, and think it out more this time. If it wasn't for Adams' name and the few funny lines here and there, I would give it a 1 and get my money back. Maybe they should make it into a movie. Hmm...
99 frantic and dull at the same time
Reads more like a description of a movie - lots of action, plenty of screaming and running in circles, plus sex. Disappointing, considering the talents of the authors. No plot to speak of.
100 Not very good
Douglas Adams is now outsourcing his writing! How disappointing. I will try the interactive game, and I hope it's better than the book.
