The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

What Hacker News says

1. fknorangesiteNov 2023
   And its sequel The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.

   And the very strange not-for-everybody-but-definitely-for-me TV adaptation.

   thread
2. wzddFeb 2022
   Douglas Adams did a great parody of this genre in The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul:

   > "Gilks!" he said. "Your smart-alec suicide theory. I like it. It works for me. And I think I see how the clever bastard pulled it off. Bring me pen. Bring me paper."

   > He sat down with a flourish at the cherrywood farmhouse table which occupied the centre of the rear portion of the room and deftly sketched out a scheme of events which involved a number of household or kitchen implements, a swinging, weighted light fitting, some very precise timing, and hinged on the vital fact that the record turntable was Japanese.

   > "That should keep your forensic chaps happy," said Dirk briskly to Gilks. The forensic chaps glanced at it, took in its salient points and liked them. They were simple, implausible, and of exactly that nature which a coroner who liked the same sort of holidays in Marbella which they did would be sure to relish.

   Show morethread
3. anfelorJan 2022
   If you don't know it already, you might be interested in 'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency' by Douglas Adams and/or the funnier second part 'The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul'.
   thread
4. alanfalconJun 2020
   I find myself re-listening to large portions of my audible library fairly often. I pick up so much more on additional read/listen-throughs.

   I listen to or read Snow Crash at least once a year. I just enjoy most everything about it. Anathem required a couple listens, and a third listen was just for comfort food.

   The Altered Carbon trilogy has depth and sublime world-building that I have now enjoyed at least a half dozen times.

   I second mentions of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (and will mention The Long, Dark Tea Time of the Soul as well).

   Ender’s Game is also comfort food for me.

   Breaking from the speculative fiction reco’s above... The Power of Vulnerability (Brené Brown) is more lecture series than audiobook, but as for non fiction I’ve recently given multiple listens to, that tops the list.

   I borrowed “Landline” from the local library, read it twice and then bought it so I could continue to read it when I want to. I think I was in just the right age group and life situation for this novel to hit home for me. Your mileage may vary, but IMO read it without knowing anything about it in advance if you’re going to read it. That means don’t read the back cover etc.

   (Blind borrowing of books from the library is fun and can be eye opening, try it sometime! Most places, you can borrow eBooks and even digital audiobooks without even leaving your home as long as you have a library card.)

   Show morethread
5. chrisweeklyOct 2019
   I hear you; Douglas Adams (like Monty Python) isn't for everyone. But, before you give up on his works forever, I highly recommend listening to* just the first chapter of his last book -- The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul. It's possibly the funniest thing I've ever listened to, and I say that as someone who read but never went bonkers over his paperbacks as a young reader.

   *"listen" vs read, bc he narrates the audiobook himself, and it's pitch-perfect. Also, Audible lets me give away one free audiobook to any non-subscriber, so if you're willing to provide a non-audible-associated email address I'd be happy to send it to you gratis.

   Show morethread
6. chrisweeklyMay 2016
   YMMV, but I just finished laughing my way through the unabridged, author-narrated(!) "The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul" audiobook; for me, the experience stands up to the best of his treasured early works. The opening chapter (getting to the airport) is singular. Don't miss it! :)
   thread