The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy Review
There's probably not much more to be said about this book and it's hard to imagine that there are many literate people over the age of about 25 who won't have encountered this story, the first in Douglas Adams's 'trilogy' (in five parts) of books, in one form or other - it's generally accepted to be a classic, of course.
I received a slightly abridged audio version of this book when I was about 12 or 13 and absolutely loved it and I still love it now. I've since read it in full and, whilst the book is short and easy to read, it just works wonderfully on many different levels because it simply overflows not only with wit and memorable dialogue but, most importantly, with ideas - ideas of all kinds - including numerous allusions to some of the things that we know Douglas Adams was interested in (i.e. science and religion) and one just can't help but keep coming back to it again and again.
There are so many memorable bits to this book, bits of which I'm regularly reminded as I go through life; indeed, the vivid description, of Ford - "The sweat stood out cold on Ford Prefect's brow..." - immediately prior to his and Arthur's close encounter with 'the third worst poetry in the universe', is inevitably brought to my mind whenever a Meatloaf song comes onto the radio. Other episodes that are always available for rapid recall include Arthur's account of his visit to the display department of the local planning office, the descriptions (as provided by the 'Hitchhiker's Guide') of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal, and of why it's important to carry a towel with you, as you 'hitchhike' round the galaxy, to the curious last words of a bowl of Petunias and, of course, the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything.
This book is now practically a cornerstone of popular culture, certainly in the UK, and every child should read it as soon as they're old enough to comprehend it. Long may it continue to be read and loved and reread, the world over.
The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy Overview
A one-volume edition of the four HITCH HIKER novels, comprising: THE HITCH HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, THE RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE, LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING, and SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH.
The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy Specifications
It's safe to say that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the funniest science fiction novels ever written. Adams spoofs many core science fiction tropes: space travel, aliens, interstellar war--stripping away all sense of wonder and repainting them as commonplace, even silly.
This omnibus edition begins with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, in which Arthur Dent is introduced to the galaxy at large when he is rescued by an alien friend seconds before Earth's destruction. Then in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Arthur and his new friends travel to the end of time and discover the true reason for Earth's existence. In Life, the Universe, and Everything, the gang goes on a mission to save the entire universe. So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish recounts how Arthur finds true love and "God's Final Message to His Creation." Finally, Mostly Harmless is the story of Arthur's continuing search for home, in which he instead encounters his estranged daughter, who is on her own quest. There's also a bonus short story, "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe," more of a vignette than a full story, which wraps up this completist's package of the Don't Panic chronicles. As the series progresses, its wackier elements diminish, but the satire of human life and foibles is ever present. --Brooks Peck
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Customer Reviews
A must read - BushBaby31 -
Short and simple, if you have not read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, read it. If you have, read it again. So clever and fun, and a quick read. I love Douglas Adams for giving us this series.
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Walter Knight -
America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 1: Feeling Lucky
We need more humor in science fiction. "The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide" fits the bill. Humor is a serious thing . . . so laugh!
HUH? - LMILLER -
some parts were funny, but mostly it was dry british humor with really stupid characters. If you like monty python you might like this. I hate monty python and only gave it two stars because I think one stars are reserved for the stuff that makes me violently ill. this only made me moderately ill
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