[coldtea]

Well, Adams books appear that way too. The writing is very contrived and stiff (even as comedic writing) - so it's all about the jokes. They're still great jokes and funny characters, but what's left as the strongest impression is them, not the writing flow, turn of phrase, or even plot.

I mean that in the same sense a movie like Airplane! is just about stringing jokes together, and has no deeper plot or "cinematic" qualities (compared to a comedy like Shaun of the Dead or Young Frankenstein).

[smilespray]

Thank you for your comment. It made me think.

Although I do think it's a bit harsh to call his writing contrived or stiff, I did get a sort-of similar vibe of "individual moments stringed along" when I first read his books.

I do disagree when it comes to overall themes. Granted, he was not the masterful storyteller along the lines of Terry Pratchett, but I do think he nailed some of the general sci-fi satire points.

I like Adams, Pratchett and Gaiman separately (see comments by others for context). Perhaps my fondness for Adams is that I discovered him first.

[coldtea]

I started with Adams, and I still like him, just think he's not much for prose - whereas other comic writers are. That said, many sci-fi writers I like weren't much either, e.g. Asimov is very crude, it's all about the plot and ideas.

I think Gaiman is the best of the three in that aspect.

Pratchett is somewhere between Adamd and Gaiman in that respect imho. Though I could never like any of his work...