Reading Library · Essential Nonsense Tier 42: The Answer

Mostly Harmless

by Douglas Adams (1992)

★★★★½ 4.5/5

The darker finale where probability becomes very, very improbable

"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light, with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws."

— Douglas Adams

My Review

The fifth book in the increasingly inaccurately named trilogy. Darker than the others, because Adams was going through some things. Still no frameworks. The Earth's entry in the Guide has been updated from 'Harmless' to 'Mostly Harmless', which is either character development or an editorial oversight. Nobody knows.

Why It Matters

This one is actually a bit sad. Adams struggled with this book. Sometimes creators struggle. That's okay. Read it to complete the journey, but maybe hug someone afterwards.

Key Ideas

  • Anything that happens, happens
  • Anything that, in happening, causes something else to happen, causes something else to happen
  • It does not necessarily do it in chronological order
  • The Guide Mark II is probably evil but in a very polite way

How It Connects to This Framework

The bittersweet feeling of finishing a series you love.

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Tags

fictioncomedyessential-nonsensetier-42completely-irrelevant

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