Well, all I can point you to is the german version:

[www.amazon.co.uk]

The only translated book by Niebelschütz seems to be The badger of Ghissi, which I don't know anything about.

I really must learn how to read German... For this book now, as well as the german versions of Robert Rankin's books.

DON'T DO THAT!!!!!!

...sorry for crying out loud, but the german translations of Robert Rankin are the worst thing I ever happened to encounter in print. Seriously.

(I am still gathering the courage to read one of his books in English. You guys have brought me along most of the way, but after that experience with the alleged german book...still shuddering)

I only really want to read the argument between the translator and the author. I don't think I'd do well trying to read a whole book in a language I don't know.


... And a good one to start you off on R.R is the Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apolcalypse. Especially if you liked the Nursery Crime books. :)

Are you trying to stir up trouble BK? (Silly question). Wasn't there a certain unpleasantness over that book?

I would suggest going right back to the start and reading the first three volumes of The Brentford Trilogy. (The Antipope, The Brentford Triangle and East of Ealing). Don't worry, they are all short books.

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My computer beat me at chess, but I won at kickboxing

There was? I must have missed it because I was too busy reading it and stamping/whistling/applauding.

Oh, and of course, the Armageddon Trilogy.

I'd go back and reread Fool on the Hill, which I first picked up because of the recommendation of this very fforum! And at some point I'm going to pick up Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell again, though that's not a light read. That's in addition to many of the other suggestions on this thread.

the best endings complete the story, not necessarily the series or the characters' complete story but that part of it. A thread left for further development is fine but if it's glaringly 'oh look there's a bit screamingly left over' it can be very annoying.
Does that make sense?

Yes, Dear.

the very end of So Long and Thanks for All the Fish:

After a final pause, Marvin gathered his strength for the last stretch.
He read the "e", the "n", the "c" and at last the final "e", and staggered back into their arms.
"I think," he murmured at last, from deep within his corroding rattling thorax, "I feel good about it."
The lights went out in his eyes for absolutely the very last time ever.
Luckily, there was a stall nearby where you could rent scooters from guys with green wings.

Additionally, the ending of pretty much every single short adult story Roald Dahl every wrote. i.e. Man from the South, Taste, Dip in the Pool, Edward the Conqueror, Lamb to the Slaughter (which i took the time to make into an ebook), The Way Up to Heaven, Parson's Pleasure, Royal Jelly, etc. Absolutely brilliant writer.

Wow, I'd forgotten how much I liked that ending (and good job not giving away the context and full message!) Whenever I see construction signs with that phrase I can't help but smile.

That might be my favorite in the Hitchhiker canon. It was highly underrated (especially by Douglas himself!). I suppose it only works in the context of the first three books, but the role reversal is great fun. For the first time, Arthur is the one who knows what's going on (and can finally show off some of the things he's picked up), whereas the rest of the world is the naive "everyman" instead of him!

And the bit with Arthur and Fenchurch having some rather intimate moments while floating through the sky is the only successful attempt at a romantic chapter I've ever read (not usually being a fan of that genre, like a proper male). Too often the humor is left out of "love." And the lady's thoughts on the airplane are of course the payoff for the reader. Marvelous writing. Miss you terribly, Douglas.

Radio 4 are doing Dirk Gently in a six part series.

[www.bbc.co.uk]

I must admit I've adopted the Dirk Gently method of not getting lost i.e. follow someone who looks like they know where they are going. Especially in Swindon I may add!

Antgeth: Just been reading Kiss, Kiss by him. 0.o.... Way cool stuff.

__________________________________
'We're all mad here. I'm mad, you're mad." [said the Cat.]
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "Or you wouldn't have come here."
- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland

if anyone likes i can upload my Lamb to the Slaughter to my website. it is a brilliant piece of classic Dahl, and although it is still under copyright, no one really cares; you're not really stealing anything...

and Susan– i think that the whole concept of that being God's Final Message to His Creation is genius... and so... fitting!

"no one really cares"

Just as well it isn't a bond novel!

Robertson Davies' Fifth Business; I had to read the whole novel again to see the story in light of this final confrontation in Boy's office when the significance of the paperweight is revealed.

Was delighted to read recently that the Sweet Valley High series did end eventually...

...you're not really stealing anything...

Oh yes you are.

Oh no you're not!

(has anyone seen the pantomime horse?)

It's behind you.