TBF the guy who invented the GIF format pronounces it jif. So it’s not completely wrong even if most people don’t say it that way

There’s many British authors, with a huge variety in styles of writing.

Try Alistair MacLean. He was a very fast paced author whose books read like action films (which a lot became), indeed he often wrote the screenplay alongside the novel. I’d recommend his first novel, HMS Ulysses, which is based on MacLean’s experiences on arctic convoys in WWII

With HHGttG try the radio series (upon which the book is based). The cast recording might help you get things a bit straighter.