Book Review: I Was Douglas Adams's Flatmate
Published: Wednesday 9th February 2011
A review of 'I Was Douglas Adams's Flatmate: and Other Encounters With Legends', a book edited by Andrew McGibbon...
Living with genius is rarely easy. And make no mistake: as the author of probably the funniest sequence of books of the twentieth century (not to mention the original Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy radio series and subsequent TV version), Douglas Adams was a genius. None of which would have been obvious to future comedy writer Jon Canter when the six foot five Monty Python-obsessed Cambridge graduate took up residence on his sofa soon after graduating from uni in the mid-seventies.
Nearly ten years after his untimely death, many of Adams' obsessions have been well documented elsewhere - Stephen Fry's recent diaries remind us that Adams shared Fry's obsession with the very latest technology (it's easy to imagine that Adams like Fry would be an enthusiastic Tweeter today) but there are lots of new insights here, not least Adams's tendency to buy cans of a Coke en masse and his desire to play Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights up to forty times a day.
Despite the title, this isn't primarily a book about Adams, however. Based on the Radio 4 series of the same name, the Adams chapter is just one of twelve recorded encounters with celebrated figures. Others include I Was Les Dennis's Gag Writer (by Reginald Perrin author David Nobbs), I Was Will Carling's Osteopath, I Was Sam Peckinpah's Girl Friday and (from McGibbon himself) I Was Morrissey's Drummer.
To be honest, it's a bit of a random selection and you would have to have a broad range of interests to fully enjoy them all, but this is nonetheless a diverting read.
Help us publish more great content by becoming a BCG Supporter. You'll be backing our mission to champion, celebrate and promote British comedy in all its forms: past, present and future.
We understand times are tough, but if you believe in the power of laughter we'd be honoured to have you join us. Advertising doesn't cover our costs, so every single donation matters and is put to good use. Thank you.
Love comedy? Find out more