The Fundamental Interconnectedness of all Things

Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, Pocket Books (1988)

Identifying an author from a particular style of writing is perhaps never easier than in the case of Douglas Adams. I have previously read Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency very much fits within this same niche. An eclectic mix of quantum theory, fantasy, crime and the absurd this book may not be the easiest casual read. Multiple read throughs would probably result in new details being clearer even though the story is more easily followed through teleological means. This does not diminish the story though as it is interesting to consider the variety of story lines both independently and how they all tie together.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency is a fascinating story to consider in its wider reaching influences. Not only does it have a TV adaptation but it also has implications within the Doctor Who universe. The descriptions of both the book and its adaptations get closer to entanglement of genres that characterize the story. The TV adaptation considered a ‘comedic-thriller’ or a ‘comic science fiction detective series’ and perhaps more characteristically described by the author as a ‘thumping good detective-ghost-horror-who dunnit-time-travel-romantic-musical- comedy-epic.’ The infusion of song numbers within the story provide an amusing break to the prose of the story while also attempting to expand the particular event of the moment.The book is continued in The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul . I will inevitably pick up the sequel later on to follow the eponymous Dirk Gently as his seemingly haphazard methods continue to solve cases that are contingent for the survival of the universe.

Jumping from story line to story line between chapters the story can become confusing to follow at times but all gets tied together in the end. Invocation of quantum theory creates the belief of the titular character that he believes in,

The fundamental interconnectedness of all things

Notably this also raises a discussion of Schrodinger’s Cat and the discussion of its theoretical implications. Also noted in this story are the wild characters and their mannerisms. Or in the case of the ‘Electric Monk on a bored horse’ their purpose. So many different aspects of the book are a journey into absurdist thought and quotations and snippets from the story could provoke discussion on their own.

Consider the discussion of the Electric Monk:

The Electric Monk was a labor-saving device, like a dishwasher or a video recorder. Dishwashers washed tedious dishes for you, thus saving you the bother of washing them yourself, …Electric Monks believed things for you, thus saving you what was becoming an increasingly onerous task, that of believing all the things the world expected you to believe.

In this world constructed by Adam’s, the Monk could be upgraded to believe more or believe more intently and the consideration of technological upgrades in this society is a humorous and necessary element of the Monk story line.

Another entertaining aspect of the story is that of the ghost. Writing about the frustrations of living as a ghost Adam’s also provides a narrative of existential questions. If one became a ghost how do you spend your time? Can you make yourself visible to others? Can you interact with physical objects.

Aside from these entertaining segments and sections of narrative about characters just consider the absurdity of the perfectly stuck couch or a horse in a relatively small bathroom. So many elements of the book are entertaining and humorous it is worthwhile reading just for particular aspects.

Nevertheless it is the final lines that should interest potential readers; “‘saving human race from total extinction – no charge.’ He put on his hat and left for the day.” All the humorous sections may not seem to correlate with the wider reaching threat but as suggested by the title, there is a fundamental interconnectedness in all things. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency covers such ground that it really could be whatever type of book you wish depending on the theme that you want to follow more closely.

Cheers, this book marks one full month down and 5 books covered. The Catcher in the Rye will certainly be a less whimsical and absurdist book next week but I look forward to reading it.