The unhappy inhabitants of planet Krikkit are sick of looking at the night sky above their heads–so they plan to destroy it. The universe, th...
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May 24, 2011
Manny
rated it: 
People may have noticed that I've recently become very interested in theories of physics which involve multiple universes. I've spent a fair amount of time over the last few weeks reading about them and discussing the ideas.
Since it's buried in one of my other reviews, let me present my conclusions explicitly. To my surprise, I discover that there is a great deal of evidence to support the claim that we are only one of many universes, and, moreover, that we know what these other univ More...
Since it's buried in one of my other reviews, let me present my conclusions explicitly. To my surprise, I discover that there is a great deal of evidence to support the claim that we are only one of many universes, and, moreover, that we know what these other univ More...
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Feb 27, 2008
Mary
rated it: 
WARNING: Eddies in the space-time continuum.
And so is his sofa!
The third of the four books in Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker Trilogy", "Life, the Universe and Everything" takes the reader - and the Chesterfield sofa - on a continuum of nonstop madness, as Earthman Arthur Dent and his Betelguesian neighbor Ford Prefect, stranded two million years in Earth's past, hitch a ride on the Chesterfield and materialize in the middle of a match at Lord's Cricket Ground in mo More...
And so is his sofa!
The third of the four books in Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker Trilogy", "Life, the Universe and Everything" takes the reader - and the Chesterfield sofa - on a continuum of nonstop madness, as Earthman Arthur Dent and his Betelguesian neighbor Ford Prefect, stranded two million years in Earth's past, hitch a ride on the Chesterfield and materialize in the middle of a match at Lord's Cricket Ground in mo More...
Oct 20, 2011
This book quite literally changed my life. As an author, it is both shameful and humorous to admit that, as a teenager, I didn't like reading books. Life, the Universe and Everything changed that for me, and I realized that books can be really, really funny.
I hadn't read the first two Hitchhiker books by this point, so when I started reading I had no idea who Arthur Dent was or what he was doing in a cave in prehistoric England. Didn't matter. On the first page he gets insulted by an More...
I hadn't read the first two Hitchhiker books by this point, so when I started reading I had no idea who Arthur Dent was or what he was doing in a cave in prehistoric England. Didn't matter. On the first page he gets insulted by an More...
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May 11, 2011
Coligne
rated it:
Stavolta Arthur e i sui compagni di avventure sono alle prese con una missione impossibile: salvare l'intero universo. Gli abitanti del pianeta Krikkit si sono stufati del monotono e scintillatene del cielo stellato sopra le loro teste, e così hanno deciso, semplicemente, di eliminarlo; distruggendo così l'intero universo.
Solo cinque persone posso opporsi ai folli piani dei Krikkitiani (o Krikkitesi che si dir si voglia), ed indovinate un po, sono proprio i nostri eroi...</p>
Solo cinque persone posso opporsi ai folli piani dei Krikkitiani (o Krikkitesi che si dir si voglia), ed indovinate un po, sono proprio i nostri eroi...</p>
Sarò io che n
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Mar 13, 2011
Strained but enjoyable sequel: With the publication of The Restaurant at the End of the Universe Douglas Adams had completed his novelisations of the two Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy radio series, and the story had effectively reached it's natural conclusion, with the wrapping up of all the major plot-threads concerning the quest for the Ultimate Question, the destruction of planet Earth, and Zaphod's theft of the Heart of Gold. The series popularity though resulted in Adams bringing out a th
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Mar 18, 2009
Brandon
rated it:
this is the last book in the series that I really enjoyed and I almost wish Douglas Adams would have called it quit here. The book gives us the chance to laugh at ourselves in going back to prehistoric earth and Adams alternate view of how we ended up the creatures we are, that was extremely clever.
But Krikkit was the best part, this story was amazing and I can't help but wonder if Adams religous views are at work here. A group of people that just can't accept the idea that there mig More...
But Krikkit was the best part, this story was amazing and I can't help but wonder if Adams religous views are at work here. A group of people that just can't accept the idea that there mig More...
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(2 people liked it)
Nov 30, 2011
Julia
rated it: 
Our fearless heroes--last seen scattered throughout space and time in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe--once again reunite, this time to save the universe from nothing less than utter annihilation. Yes, the ancient race of Krikkit has declared war on everything non-Krikkit, and only Arthur and the gang can prevent the impending Armageddon. Because, you know, why not?
Not quite as funny as its predecessors, mainly because of Adams’ inexplicable desire to keep his characters s More...
Not quite as funny as its predecessors, mainly because of Adams’ inexplicable desire to keep his characters s More...
Aug 07, 2011
Becky
rated it:
Though I had really enjoyed the first two books in the Hitchhiker's "trilogy," for some reason or another the appeal seemed to dissipate with this one a little bit. Throughout the series I found that Adams really had a tendency to have events happen without really explaining exactly what was going on, but you usually found out directly after. However, there were lots of things that happened in the beginning of this one that really made little sense, and they weren't explained until m
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Jun 14, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
I think this book would have been better for me if I actually understood cricket. The game, I mean. There were so many subtle references and jokes to cricket, I felt I was missing out on half the humor of the novel. But of course, being American puts me at a disadvantage. However, there still were some exceedingly funny parts. I loved that Arthur learned to fly simply by falling and forgetting to hit the ground. And Adams wow-ed me with the creature killed over and over by Dent who wants revenge
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Jun 19, 2010
Cecily
rated it:
Hitchhiker's, volume 3.
Mostly about Krikkit - and the Bistromathic Drive, which is better than mere Infinite Improbability.
The immortal Wowbanger the Infinitely Prolonged gave himself the task of insulting everyone in the universe - individually (but nearly did Arthur twice).
It has the usual wonderful Adamsness:
The "knack" of learning to fly is to "throw yourself at the ground and miss".
"Aggressively unintere More...
Mostly about Krikkit - and the Bistromathic Drive, which is better than mere Infinite Improbability.
The immortal Wowbanger the Infinitely Prolonged gave himself the task of insulting everyone in the universe - individually (but nearly did Arthur twice).
It has the usual wonderful Adamsness:
The "knack" of learning to fly is to "throw yourself at the ground and miss".
"Aggressively unintere More...
Jan 22, 2010
Alyce (At Home With Books)
rated it:
Life, the Universe and Everything took me longer to read and held my attention less than the first two books in the series. I think that part of this was due to a complicated plot with mysterious white robots showing up everywhere killing people, and characters appearing at various locations, seemingly at random. So, I guess in many ways it is standard fare for the Hitchhiker series: expect the unexpected.
You have to pay close attention to the details of this story if you want to know More...
You have to pay close attention to the details of this story if you want to know More...
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May 10, 2009
Connor
rated it:
Great, a planet of people who, at one time were out to destroy the universe, just deployed many numbers of robots in order to unlock the envelope that retains them and slows town time, and the only people who can save it are Ford Prefect, Arthur Dent, Slartibartfast, Zaphod Beeblebrox, & Trillian (in other words, we should all just have fun for the next few days because after that, there is not much else on earth!). I thought this book was a very good edition to the series because they are fina
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Apr 12, 2009
Ben
rated it:
A series losing steam, and it's a real shame given the potential of the first two books--both fun, quick reads. This title is less focused on the sci-fi and philosophical underpinnings of the first two books. Instead, Adams here maintains sequences that hinge on bizarre chains of events and silly, ponderous exchanges between characters who have less and less of an idea as to what exactly is happening around them. These felt a long 200+ pages indeed.
The bon mots and clever passages ar More...
The bon mots and clever passages ar More...
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(4 people liked it)
Jun 13, 2010
Jason_W.
rated it:
This book is about the planet of Krikkit. After being sent back into time, Arthur and Ford travel long distances to find the four keys to unlock a violent race before their benefactors can. This race is said to hold a bomb which can anhilate the entire universe. Trillian and Zaphod had also went back in time and they weren't about to let them complete the puzzle ethier.
I can connect to the world how wars destory people. Even though these wars do not wipe out the entire population of More...
I can connect to the world how wars destory people. Even though these wars do not wipe out the entire population of More...
Oct 24, 2010
Hana
rated it:
Saving the Universe seems much too much responsibility for cosmically-displaced earthman, Arthur Dent. But after reuniting with his friend Ford Prefect and bumping into Slartibartfast on English grounds, he suddenly finds himself burdened, along with his friends—though rather reluctantly—with the task of "confronting an ancient nightmare of the universe".. Will they make it on time, or is the universe slated for a premature end all along?
And what about the still unresolved my More...
And what about the still unresolved my More...
Feb 01, 2010
Kirstin
rated it:
I find reading Douglas Adams to be an exercise in contradictions. Really, nothing happens, but Arthur Dent and company save the world. The characters can seem one-dimensional, yet endlessly deep. There is nothing difficult to grasp in the novel, but it tackles all the major issues — y’know … life, the universe, and, well, everything.
In this third book of Douglas’ original trilogy, Arthur Dent is reunited with his old pal Ford Prefect, an alien who saved him, if not his world, when th More...
In this third book of Douglas’ original trilogy, Arthur Dent is reunited with his old pal Ford Prefect, an alien who saved him, if not his world, when th More...
Jan 01, 2010
Travis
rated it:
Another installment in the Hitchhiker's "trilogy" down. I'm going to try and keep this one shorter than usual, but I'm not making any promises.
There is one thing that I have noticed with the Hitchhiker's saga. There are two types of people, those who love every single word of it and those who hate it with an undying passion. So far, I am one who loves every single word.
I've read a couple of the reviews for this one and I noticed that quite a number of people hav More...
There is one thing that I have noticed with the Hitchhiker's saga. There are two types of people, those who love every single word of it and those who hate it with an undying passion. So far, I am one who loves every single word.
I've read a couple of the reviews for this one and I noticed that quite a number of people hav More...
Oct 23, 2011
Penelope
rated it:
Ehhhh...this book had its moments of brilliance, but overall I don't think I would bother to read it again. From an American perspective the whole Cricket/Krikkit thing was a little quirky and esoteric. I can't really decide if I found it funny or just plain mysterious.
I thought it was nice that Trillian finally plays a somewhat significant role in this book (...kind of) toward the end. But her character overall just seems so flat. Her dialog is minimal and I feel like I just don't More...
I thought it was nice that Trillian finally plays a somewhat significant role in this book (...kind of) toward the end. But her character overall just seems so flat. Her dialog is minimal and I feel like I just don't More...
Jul 30, 2011
Kurt
rated it:
There are moments in this book that are as funny as the two previous books, but not as many as I wanted. Overall, it's a very good book, well worth a read, but not before you read what came before it.
I have never finished a book before and thought, "I sure wish there hadn't been a plot." Not that I want a different plot, but that I want no plot at all. That's essentially how Adams strung together his witty observations for two books, and this book suffers greatly for having a More...
I have never finished a book before and thought, "I sure wish there hadn't been a plot." Not that I want a different plot, but that I want no plot at all. That's essentially how Adams strung together his witty observations for two books, and this book suffers greatly for having a More...
Jul 22, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
I was disappointed with this book, and really don't understand all the hype over it. Out of the first four books of the "trilogy in five parts" (I haven't read the last one yet), this one is by far the least engaging. As short as it is, it took me three days to read it because I found it difficult to absorb. There is a mere skeleton of a plot line, which might have taken all of five pages to tell if not for all of the meandering and weaving around the story line. Much of what happens t
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Jan 26, 2012
Mnava
rated it:
Giunti alla fine della storia iniziata con "guida galattica per autostoppisti" nel terzo libro la narrazione subisce una leggera deviazione che ne costituisce un seguito ideale. Stessi personaggi, stessa "ambientazione", ma questa volta gli atipici eroi partoriti dalla feconda mente di Douglas Adams si trovano a dover salvare l'intero universo da un antica minaccia. Lo stile è quello ormai noto ai fan dell'autore, intuizioni geniali, svolte narrative inaspettate impastate con
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Sep 01, 2011
dejah_thoris
rated it:
This book seems oddly displaced in the series, but from other reviews I've read, the series may be losing steam. I fully enjoyed the premise (even though I didn't get any of the cricket references) of the Krikket people wanting to annihilate everyone else in the universe and the explanation behind it at the end. Arthur being confronted by a soul he continuously kills by accident also prompted an interesting examination of the problem of reincarnation. And, yes, it was nice to see Slartibartfas
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Jul 31, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
Arguably the midway point in this series of books so much as I commented on the first book I will comment on this...the book seems to have tied up things quite neatly with regard the first two books making this seem a fitting end to a trilogy..as there is still more to come however(I have 'so long and thanks for the fish' at the ready) obviously things might not yet be spent.
The book has the hallmarks of the Hitchiker books incorporating a romping space adventure with humour and an english More...
The book has the hallmarks of the Hitchiker books incorporating a romping space adventure with humour and an english More...
Jan 15, 2011
Martha
rated it:
Well... I found it really hard to rate this book. Some parts were as fantastic, humorous and as witty as usual. I found myself really enjoying them. But some parts dragged and, to be honest, nothing much happened. The characters have so much potential but I felt as though Trillian wasn't living up to this. She seems to be in the background for most of it (though she was more active in this book than the last, at least). Also, the relationship between Ford and Arthur confuses me. They're supposed
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Sep 20, 2010
David
rated it:
The third installment in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, "Life, the Universe and Everything" has the most interesting pacing of the series. It begins with the protagonist, Arthur Dent, at a virtual and literal standstill. In fact, he and his cohort Ford Prefect stay in almost exactly the same location for the first 25 pages. Very suddenly, the plot takes off in unison with the ship Arthur and Ford finally hitch a ride in. From this point, it stays constant and fast-paced w
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Oct 28, 2011
Don
rated it:
Though originally based on an idea for an unused Doctor Who screenplay, this is miles above the already-entertaining first two books in the series, due in large part to the fact that the first two books were a more-or-less mishmash adaptation of the original radio series; as a result, this is the first time in the series that you get the sense of Adams actually coming up with a bona-fide story - beginning, middle and end - before he began writing it, as opposed to the radio series' famed approac
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Nov 25, 2011
Angelica Watson (psst! amrutha)
rated it:
Wacky..loony and the rest of it of course,something that you come to expect in any Douglas Adam's novel.
So, the wackiness gets a little pulled in this book.
As usual, no apparent chain of events. The bursting of one planet to build a space bypass, and then obviously, the next step would automatically be - the end of the universe so that only one race can live.
Like I said, no chain of events, making it all the more fun.
If you're looking at someth More...
So, the wackiness gets a little pulled in this book.
As usual, no apparent chain of events. The bursting of one planet to build a space bypass, and then obviously, the next step would automatically be - the end of the universe so that only one race can live.
Like I said, no chain of events, making it all the more fun.
If you're looking at someth More...
Feb 27, 2010
Craig
rated it:
What can I say? These books are always a joy! The night I started this book, I was in the crappiest of moods. I was in one of those crappy moods where I couldn't quite figure out why I was in a crappy mood, which made the mood even crappier! So, sitting down to this book in my inconsolably crappy mood, I found the crappiness suddenly lifted within the first few pages as I laughed uproariously. When I say "uproariously", I mean I laughed so hard, I was relieved I wasn't in public.
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Jul 01, 2009
Dana
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 02, 2011
Natan
rated it:
Douglas Adams continues the Hitchhiker saga. This book takes place some years after the events in The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe, and Arthur Dent has resolved to go mad. He doesn't need to try very hard. Soon, he is whisked off on another adventure through time and space. Only this time, he actually has to do something productive (other than stay alive, of course.) He has to save the universe.
If you've read my reviews of the last two books, you'd know that I am about to reco More...
If you've read my reviews of the last two books, you'd know that I am about to reco More...
