While I agree it's more pessimistic and dark in tone compared to the other books in the series, I loved this absurd, you-end-up-where-you-started conclusion to the series and found it funny. In fact I think Ford's reaction in the final chapter was the best possible reaction to such a conclusion. "Through the new strangeness of noise and light he could just make out the shape of Ford Prefect sitting back and laughing wildly."
contains vague spoilers
While I agree it's more pessimistic and dark in tone compared to the other books in the series, I loved this absurd, you-end-up-where-you-started conclusion to the series and found it funny.
In fact I think Ford's reaction in the final chapter was the best possible reaction to such a conclusion.
"Through the new strangeness of noise and light he could just make out the shape of Ford Prefect sitting back and laughing wildly."