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The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

(The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #2)

Douglas Adams

4.21 · Rating details · 259,414 ratings · 7,050 reviews

Facing annihilation at the hands of the warlike Vogons is a curious time to have a craving for tea. It could only happen to the cosmically displaced Arthur Dent and his curious comrades in arms as they hurtle across space powered by pure improbability--and desperately in search of a place to eat.
Among Arthur's motley shipmates are Ford Prefect, a longtime friend and expert ...more

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Kindle Edition, 255 pages

Published 2014 (first published October 12th 1980)

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Mar 07, 2018 Mario the lone bookwolf rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adams-douglas

The second strike of the prime, not so directive, example of how Sci-Fi, fantasy, humor, philosophy, and criticism can be fused to create an intergalactic road trip.

Reread 2022 with extended review

So much in such a short work
Including time manipulation, end of time, relativity of death and afterlife, monetarization of the end of the universe, human evolution and what may have influenced it, madness resulting from the insight of humankinds´ unimportance concerning the cosmic scale, etc., Adams The second strike of the prime, not so directive, example of how Sci-Fi, fantasy, humor, philosophy, and criticism can be fused to create an intergalactic road trip.

Reread 2022 with extended review

So much in such a short work
Including time manipulation, end of time, relativity of death and afterlife, monetarization of the end of the universe, human evolution and what may have influenced it, madness resulting from the insight of humankinds´ unimportance concerning the cosmic scale, etc., Adams covers a large range of topics in a small number of pages and mixes it with fabulous character description, dialogues, and weird protagonist premises.

Searching for the hidden meanings
Dissecting satire is no fun, but a difficult and highly subjective endeavor and it seems to me as if Adams has packed even more innuendos about grievances into it than in the first, more light-hearted part of his legendary series. Not dark, but a bit more in the grey area, typical growing a beard style.

Maybe the best part
It´s very difficult to choose the best part of the series, but I would prefer this one because it needs no further explanation and goes directly into different plots and the epic ending gives deep insights into human cultural evolution and lets one ask the question whose weirdo descendants we might be.

Alien 1: "I bet you might not dare to mix your genetic code with those primates because of the non-interference laws and ethical issues."
Alien 2: "Hold my beer."

I´m not quite sure if this is uplifting, pimped natural development, or just something between sexual abuse (or seduction including multiple misuses of bananas before, during, and after) of primates and a serious scientific field study by immortal, godlike alien beings with billion years of technological advance and thereby supremacy. But still enough perversion and substance abuse to have a hairy kinky time.

Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph... ...more

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May 28, 2009 J.G. Keely rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: humor, science-fiction, reviewed, novel, uk-and-ireland, space-opera

The universe is a joke.

Even before I was shown the meaning of life in a dream at 17 (then promptly forgot it because I thought I smelled pancakes), I knew this to be true--and yet, I have always felt a need to search for the truth, that nebulous, ill-treated creature. Adams has always been, to me, to be a welcome companion in that journey.

Between the search for meaning and the recognition that it's all a joke in poor taste lies Douglas Adams, and, luckily for us, he doesn't seem to mind if you The universe is a joke.

Even before I was shown the meaning of life in a dream at 17 (then promptly forgot it because I thought I smelled pancakes), I knew this to be true--and yet, I have always felt a need to search for the truth, that nebulous, ill-treated creature. Adams has always been, to me, to be a welcome companion in that journey.

Between the search for meaning and the recognition that it's all a joke in poor taste lies Douglas Adams, and, luckily for us, he doesn't seem to mind if you lie there with him. He's a tall guy, but he'll make room.

For all his crazed unpredictability, Adams is a powerful rationalist. His humor comes from his attempts to really think through all the things we take for granted. It turns out it takes little more than a moment's questioning to burst our preconceptions at the seams, yet rarely does this stop us from treating the most ludicrous things as if they were perfectly reasonable.

It is no surprise that famed atheist Richard Dawkins found a friend and ally in Adams. What is surprising is that people often fail to see the rather consistent and reasonable philosophy laid out by Adams' quips and absurdities. His approach is much more personable (and less embittered) than Dawkins', which is why I think of Adams as a better face for rational materialism (which is a polite was of saying 'atheism').

Reading his books, it's not hard to see that Dawkins is tired of arguing with uninformed idiots who can't even recognize when a point has actually been made. Adams' humanism, however, stretched much further than the contention between those who believe, and those who don't.

We see it from his protagonists, who are not elitist intellectuals--they're not even especially bright--but damn it, they're trying. By showing a universe that makes no sense and having his characters constantly question it, Adams is subtly hinting that this is the natural human state, and the fact that we laugh and sympathize shows that it must be true.

It's all a joke, it's all ridiculous. The absurdists might find this depressing, but they're just a bunch of narcissists, anyhow. Demnading the world make sense and give you purpose is rather self centered when it already contains toasted paninis, attractive people in bathing suits, and Euler's Identity. I say let's sit down at the bar with the rabbi, the priest, and the frog and try to get a song going. Or at least recognize that it's okay to laugh at ourselves now and again. It's not the end of the world.

It's just is a joke, but some of us are in on it. ...more

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Mar 15, 2016 Ahmad Sharabiani rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, humor, 20th-century, british, science

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #2), Douglas Adams

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (1980, ISBN 0-345-39181-0) is the second book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy comedy science fiction series by Douglas Adams.

The novel narrates the adventurous galactic journey of Arthur Dent, a middle-class British man, and his unwanted role in finding meaning in life, and narrates the adventures in intergalactic space, and Planets occur far from Earth The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #2), Douglas Adams

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (1980, ISBN 0-345-39181-0) is the second book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy comedy science fiction series by Douglas Adams.

The novel narrates the adventurous galactic journey of Arthur Dent, a middle-class British man, and his unwanted role in finding meaning in life, and narrates the adventures in intergalactic space, and Planets occur far from Earth, such as: Earth and time, power, authorities and authorities of the contemporary world, depicting people and concepts, thoughts and actions of human beings, with ironic language, and in transcendent humor.

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز نهم ماه سپتامبر سال2016میلادی

عنوان: رستوران آخر جهان، کتاب دوم مجموعه ی پنج جلدی راهنمای کهکشان؛ نویسنده: داگلاس آدامز؛ مترجم: آرش سرکوهی؛ تهران، نشر چشمه، سال1395، در217ص؛ شابک9786002292896؛ موضوع داستانهای علمی و خنده دار خیال انگیز از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 20م

کتاب «رستوران آخر جهان»، جلد دوم از مجموعه ی پنج جلدی: «راهنمای کهکشان برای اتواستاپزنها»، است؛ «رستوران آخر جهان» نیز، همانند جلد نخست، رمانی علمی ـ تخیلی، و طنز‌آمیز است؛ این رمان، سفر کهکشانی پُرماجرای «آرتور دنت»، مردی میان‌مایه از طبقه‌ ی متوسط «انگلیس»، و نقش ِ ناخواسته‌ ی او را، برای یافتن معنای زندگی، روایت میکند، و با نقل داستانی، ماجراهایی که در فضای بین کهکشانی، و سیاره‌ هایی دور از کره‌ ی زمین، رخ می‌دهند، همانند: زمین و زمان و زمانه، قدرت، مراجع و اتوریته‌ های جهان معاصر، آدم‌ها و مفاهیم، افکار و کردار انسان‌ها، را با زبانی کنایی، و به طنزی متعالی، به تصویر بر‌می‌کشند

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 27/10/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 25/09/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی ...more

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Dec 24, 2013 Henry Avila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Captain Jeltz our old not so good friend ( a callous butcher) from the previous book, is after the stolen spaceship with the unlikely name,"Heart of Gold" again! On board are Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Trillian and the ex -President of the Galaxy the thief, Zaphod Beeblebrox ( nobody cares about Marvin the annoying robot). The unsmiling captain likes killing, that's what he does best. The fugitive ship is just about to be no more, with the help of the cruel Vogan ( a bad poet too), and his deadl Captain Jeltz our old not so good friend ( a callous butcher) from the previous book, is after the stolen spaceship with the unlikely name,"Heart of Gold" again! On board are Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Trillian and the ex -President of the Galaxy the thief, Zaphod Beeblebrox ( nobody cares about Marvin the annoying robot). The unsmiling captain likes killing, that's what he does best. The fugitive ship is just about to be no more, with the help of the cruel Vogan ( a bad poet too), and his deadly spacecraft's weapons...The Heart of Gold's computer is too busy making the perfect cup of tea, to defend the vessel.Thanks to the thirsty Mr.Dent, a man must have his beverage! The only bright side is that the Englishman gets the best tea, he's ever had...With the crew having only a few moments to live, the great- grandfather of Zaphod's is someways conjured up by Beeblebrox... He can't explain it either. Great -grandpa isn't very happy, observing the stupidity of his great -grandson. Four generations and what a blockhead, it has produced. And an ill timed lecture on his relative's shameful habits, complicates things. But blood is blood and with the desperate, nervous encouragement of the rest of the gang, he sends them in their merry, separate ways. Marvin and the former president, vanishing from the bridge. And the craft travels many light years away, from the rather dangerous somewhat bleak situation. Zaphod materializes on distant Ursa Minor Beta, a planet where it's always a sunny afternoon, along also his not so fun but gloomy robot companion Marvin, and "his" constant bad moods. Arriving in a bar he's amazed, speechless, shocked still the gentleman is no stranger to such an environment and soon feels right at home (after a couple of good drinks). And on this world is the wonderful headquarters of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Mr.Beeblebrox has an overpowering mysterious urge to see (he doesn't know why?), Mr.Zarniwoop the editor. Yet there are problems, they're always some, the sweet talking elevator won't take them to the 15th floor. Even asks if they wouldn't prefer going in the opposite direction, down. Strange behavior for this machine, some kind of premonition ? The reason becomes apparent soon after an attack from the galaxy's forces, not happy with our former leader's actions. Despite the gallant efforts of Marvin's, they take the whole huge building and transports it to the worst place in the Milky Way, the Frogstar planet. What a dump! A voice tells him to come on down from the 15th floor...He does, very slowly and enters a structure on the dreary surface, will that kill him? Maybe or maybe not... He's hungry, slightly tired and would prefer to be in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, (Milliways) where they see the end of the universe show ever night ( with a celebrity host ). Reasonable prices too, a great view of the entertainment if you can get a good table and join his friends for a few libations....The only heaven, which our not quite perfect hero knows. ...more

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Sep 24, 2018 R.K. Gold rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Poor Marvin!
I’m glad our heroes are exploring space and time but poor Marvin!!!!

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Nov 17, 2015 Algernon (Darth Anyan) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015

There is theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.

There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Arthur Dent and his companions went through some bizarre and inexplicable adventures after the Earth got blown to bits by Vogons in the opening sequence of the series. They were probably too close to making sense of their situ ...more

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Dec 11, 2015 Roy Lotz rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: novels-novellas-short-stories

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, when he asked me for a book recommendation.

“Nothing too long,” he said. “Or too factual.”

My brain starting racing. Tolstoy? Much too long. Bill Bryson? Much too factual.

“The news?” I suggested.

“No, no,” he said. “A book.”

My mind kept racing through titles.

“Ah, I’ve got it!” I said finally. “Try The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. They are wholly remarkable books.”

This brief conversation encapsulates why I enjoy these books ...more

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Jan 25, 2020 Baba rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: ha-ha-humour

For what it is worth, despite my loathing for the first book in this best-selling immensely popular series I persevered and took a look at The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. The same results ensued for me a Hitchhiker's, outdated, trite and weak humour, infantile comedy and almost lazy plotting. The only save at the moment for me is Marvin! One Star Read, I am afraid as I liked this even less than I liked Hitchhiker's! 3 out of 12

2005 read ...more

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Feb 03, 2020 J.L. Sutton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

“The story so far:
In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.”

“In an infinite Universe anything can happen.”

Not much in the way of plot or development here, but if you've made it this far into the Hitchhiker Series then that's probably not going to be a big problem. And it isn't! Douglas Adams' The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is a terrifically zany and entertaining adventure. I really enjoy the fact that a ...more

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Jul 11, 2017 Jason Koivu rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: comedy, sci-fi, favorites, humor

Had I read this? I couldn't recall. I knew I'd seen the old tv version, but I wasn't sure I'd actually read the book, so I read it. And why not? It's a hell of a good book, and I'd do it again!

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is kind of the continuing adventures of Arthur Dent. Honestly, while he's a focal point of book one, he doesn't factor into the sequel as much. This is more about Zaphod Beeblebrox and Ford Perfect, as well as the kitchen sink's worth of whatever zany ideas Douglas ...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Bradley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, 2020-shelf, humor

Truly, the most memorable characters in this book are the ones in Disaster Area.

Just ignore the inane ramblings of the most important person in the universe, Mr. Beeblebrox, the man who says What all the time, or the brilliant but somewhat easygoing Trillian, or Froody Ford. They're just bit players. Indeed, the character that chews cud is rather more intelligent than the grand majority of those B-Cast characters sent to crash on that backwater planet with the official main characters.

Didn't you ...more

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Nov 20, 2008 Manny rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, parody-homage, well-i-think-its-funny, if-research-were-romance

"It must be nice," mused Ford Prefect thoughtfully, "to know what you're for. I don't have the slightest idea what I'm for. Most sentient beings don't. But you," he continued, turning to Arthur and Trillian. "You know. Part of finding the answer to the Ultimate Question. I'm sure that's comforting at times. "

"You mean the 42 business?" asked Arthur.

"What?" asked Zaphod's left head incredulously, while his right head rolled its eyes. "You mean you fell for that?!"

The rest of this review is avail ...more

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Nov 02, 2013 seak rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015

I'm absolutely astounded at how quotable this book is. It's no wonder Douglas Adams suffered from writers block because just about every line in the entire book (and previous book, and probably subsequent books), is perfectly crafted to bring about a chuckle.

In this second book of the trilogy of five (which is now 6 I'm told), our crew of Beeblebrox, Arthur, Trillian, Ford Prefect, and of course the loveable Melvin the depressed robot, has to find the man behind the power, the ruler of the enti ...more

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Aug 23, 2009 K.D. Absolutely rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to K.D. by: 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (2006-2010); 501 Must Read Books

Shelves: 501, series, 1001-core, sci-fi, space-adventure

Better than the first book. This has more funny moments and I just found myself laughing out loud more than when I was reading the first book. I guess it was by design. Douglas Adams had to explain fully his milieu for the series. Since he did that in the first book, his characters now have the whole universe to play around for themselves. So, they just don't hop and hop from one planet to another but also in this one, enjoy a time travel. They went to a restaurant at the end of the universe. Pr Better than the first book. This has more funny moments and I just found myself laughing out loud more than when I was reading the first book. I guess it was by design. Douglas Adams had to explain fully his milieu for the series. Since he did that in the first book, his characters now have the whole universe to play around for themselves. So, they just don't hop and hop from one planet to another but also in this one, enjoy a time travel. They went to a restaurant at the end of the universe. Prior to my reading of this book, I thought that the restaurant is located at the end or the edge of the universe. But I was fascinated to learn that while eating steak (from the meat of a talking animal), you could watch the end or the death of the universe. Sorry for the spoiler but it's found in the first half of the book and there are other more interesting scenes in the second part and you have to read the book and experience for yourself how is it to be dining and watching the end of yourself. Very clever imagination.

I reason why I read this after the first book was that I'd like to find out what was the Ultimate Question for the Ultimate Answer that was "42." However, it seemed the Adams was deliberately delaying it as it was only in the second part where it was brought up and he did not even give any hints. So, after reading this book, I looked from the third book but I could not locate it. So, I am now reading the fourth book and since its title is Song Long and Thanks for All the Fish, I hope to already know what the Ultimate Question is.

Again, I am not really a big sci-fi fan so I understand if you find this book more enjoyable and rated this with more than 3 stars. However, I agree with you that this book is good: talking insect as receptionist, elevator refusing to come up, animal talking to you prior to being butchered so you can buy and eat its meat, restaurant at the end of the universe, etc. They are all cleverly thought of that not too many of writers would be able to put them in one book and make people laugh. Really, unbelievable.

On to the 4th book. ...more

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Nov 24, 2009 Benjamin Duffy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, humor

Back in junior high school, when I was being bussed 30 miles each way to the Magnet School for Gifted Math and Science Students (don't get excited; I washed out of the program in shame and disgrace after two years), the Hitchhiker's Guide series were all my nerdy friends' favorite books. They would throw quotes and in-jokes about Pan-Galactic Gargleblasters and Ravenous Bugblatter Beasts of Kraal back and forth at each other much like some people do with Monty Python films or The Princess Bride. ...more

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Jul 30, 2011 Lyn rated it liked it · review of another edition

Douglas Adams’ hilarious chronicle of Zaphod, Ford, Trillion, Arthur – and Marvin the Paranoid Android keeps a’ rollin’ in this 1980 sequel to his epochal The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Center stage is Adams’ brilliant humor and he continues on with more explorations of his magnificent world building.

We are introduced to Hotblack Desiato and Disaster Area, one of my favorite characters from when I read this the first time decades ago. Disaster Area is the most successful rock band of all t ...more

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May 03, 2020 Elinor rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

In his sequel to “The hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy”, Douglas Adams continues the adventures of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillian, and Marvin, in the same funny and unassuming style. Zaphod, still nutty as a fruitcake, looks for the man who rules the universe, while Arthur’s continued search for “The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything” churns out the unsatisfactory “What do you get if you multiply six by nine?”.

It makes for a quick read, ever surprisi ...more

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Jun 19, 2010 Cecily rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: humour, scifi-future-speculative-fict, time-travel

Hitchhiker's, volume 2.

The beginning of human life on earth and the end of the universe, aided by infinite improbability.

As with the others, it's the ideas and writing that make it so good:

Marvin makes a heavily armoured tank guess what weapon he has (nothing).

"The guide is definitive. Reality is frequently inaccurate".

"How are you? Fine if you like being me, which personally, I don't".

"Everything's cool and froody".

"Little expense had been spared to give the impression that no expense had ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 Melindam rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: humour, science-fiction

“The History of every major Galactic Civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognizable phases, those of Survival, Inquiry and Sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why, and Where phases. For instance, the first phase is characterized by the question 'How can we eat?' the second by the question 'Why do we eat?' and the third by the question 'Where shall we have lunch?”

In which installment we learn that tea is a most dangerous beverage.... ...more

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Aug 10, 2008 Stephen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1980-1989, audiobook, light-and-fluffy, easton-press, science-fiction, fforde-pickup, galactic-civilizations, humor-and-satire

2.5 to 3.0 stars. Decent follow up to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. While enjoyable, I did not find myself laughing as often as I did during the first one. With books like this, your mood is often an important factor in determining your level of enjoyment so it could be that I just wasn't as receptive to the story as I might otherwise have been. Good but not great. ...more

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Feb 22, 2009 Courtney Lindwall rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Zany Lovers of Ironic Science Fiction

Shelves: 2009

Oh, how I do love Douglas Adams.

I find something really profound in the way Douglas Adams presents life, even through an otherwise nonsensical and just purely humorous book. When I look past the surface, some of life's most thought-provoking themes lie so clearly woven amidst his stories.

Each encounter, each adventure, each beloved character, each twist, each turn; these are all humorous, superbly written, and wonderful, but what I believe Adams does better than his other counter-parts is lace ...more

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Oct 27, 2014 Barry Pierce rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-century, read-in-2015

Not much to say about this. It's like the first one but not as good. It's a sequel. What do you expect? ...more

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Sep 13, 2016 David Sarkies rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi

Parking Cars - what else does one do in a car park
13 September 2016

Well, this is annoying. Having just arrived back from Europe, and having travelled half way around a world you could say that I now have the holiday hangover – Jet Lag. Basically I have had about 10 hours sleep in total over the past four days, namely because I go to sleep and suddenly an hour later I am wide awake, laying in bed, wondering whether I should get up and do something, or simply lie there and attempt to get some mor Parking Cars - what else does one do in a car park
13 September 2016

Well, this is annoying. Having just arrived back from Europe, and having travelled half way around a world you could say that I now have the holiday hangover – Jet Lag. Basically I have had about 10 hours sleep in total over the past four days, namely because I go to sleep and suddenly an hour later I am wide awake, laying in bed, wondering whether I should get up and do something, or simply lie there and attempt to get some more sleep, which generally doesn't occur until around 5:00 am (which means that I am not up until around 10:00, when I am able to sleep in that late). Also, having had my first full day of work (in an office) for seven weeks, you could say that I am a bit zonked. However I have just finished the second instalment of Adam's rather bizarre, and quite absurd, space adventure, and if I don't start writing the review now I probably never well (not that I can easily write at the moment, even on a laptop – maybe I should get up and go for a walk before hand, or even better go down to the pub and get a beer – yes, maybe I'll do just that).

Okay, I'm now down at the pub with a beer in front of me, but I will do my best to resist the temptation to talk about how Belgium has turned me into a beer and coffee snob, particularly due to the fact that in Belgium you get beer that has been brewed in Monasteries for hundreds of years, where as in Australia you simply get beer that is pretty substandard (though nowhere near as bad as English beer – which as I have said previously is little more than coloured water). Anyway, enough of that because I really want to get this review completed before I move onto my next book.

So, the book starts of where the previous one ends, and sort of follows the television series (though the television series ends at the end of this book). However I didn't feel that this part of the series was anywhere near as good as the first book (or even the series). I would sort of suggest that it was tying up a few loose ends, but in fact the first book didn't have any lose ends that needed tying up (but then again any lose ends that exist in absurdist literature generally are not ment to be tied up – otherwise it would cease to be absurd). Further, it seems that the story has been padded out a bit and as such it feels a little forced, especially since the original really didn't need a plot – they land up at the Restaurant that exists at the end of time, namely because they are looking for some place to have a meal and people go there for a humongous light show. Our heroes then steal a stunt ship belonging to a galactic rockstar, but it turns out that this ship is going to be flown into a star. Fortunately they find a teleport and escape, but Zaphod and Trillian disappear to who knows where, while Arthur and Ford land up back on Earth (or at least on a ship heading in that general direction).

While that is the basic plot of the second half of the television series, this book gives a bit more of a meaning behind plot – the Vogons realise that since Arthur and Trillian managed to escape Earth their job of destroying the Earth was left half finished so they decide to go after them to finish it off (and you will see more of that in future books). Also, Zaphod decides to go and find out who the actual ruler of the universe is, namely because even though he is president of the galaxy he really has no power (though he ends up getting board and heads of to have some dinner instead). In a way it felt a little forced and sort of detracted a lot from the original premise, which was understandably quite absurd. Even though Zaphod does eventually find the ruler of the universe, as it turns out the guy is pretty absent minded, and in a way one wonders whether he actually rules anything, and why it is that he is supposed to be the ruler of the universe.

Maybe it has something to with this idea that there really isn't any order, or sense, in the universe, and if there is any deity, the lack of sense, or purpose, suggests that the ruler really has no idea what is going on, or maybe has been around for so long that he (or she) has simply become senile. In a way it does seem to be like this, but I really don't want to get into anything too theological to attempt to disprove Adam's theory because in a way it is your typical Deist view of existence – sure there is a God who created the world, but he is either long gone, or simply set it in motion and let it go about on its own devices. I guess that is why the theory of Thermodynamics works – creation moves from order to disorder in the same way that a mechanical device slowly, but surely, winds down to a halt. However the way that the world seems to go about suggests that maybe he have been forgotten about it. However, it is quite interesting that whenever somebody comes along and suggests that maybe if people learnt to get along a bit better they either end up shot, forced to drink poison, or hung on a cross.

One group I do need to mention are the Gulgafrinchans – they are a rather amusing, and quite interesting, race of people. The deal with them is that there were three classes of people – the ruling class, the working class, and the middle class. The thing with the ruling class is that they were the rulers (and controlled the means of production), so they considered themselves particularly important. The working class actually had useful skills that the ruling class could use to produce stuff, while the middle class simply leached off the capital of the ruling class and the hard work of the working class. The middle class consisted of people such as advertising executives, sales managers, film directors, and telephone sanitisers – people that if they were removed from society then society would pretty much continue to function, but at a more efficient rate.

In a way I am inclined to agree – there is actually a whole class of people that simply exist to make things more complicated, and more expensive. Lawyers (and politicians) create reams and reams of laws to make life so complex that one cannot navigate the environment without spending lots of money to actually understand what these mystical words actually mean. As for advertisers, market analysts, and sales managers – they simply exist to make things more expensive. For instance they take what is effectively a t-shirt and with a wave of their hands transform it into a lifestyle – a brand if you will – which means that one can jack up the price to no end. In a way the middle class really only exists to take money from the working class, give it to the ruling class, and take a significant cut for themselves. The fact that they come across as a bunch of bumbling idiots who haven't managed to get anything done because everything has been referred to a discussion group is no accident. In away, as some suggest, totalitarian dictatorships are so much more effective because they do away with all these pesky politicians who exist only for the election cycle, and simply get things done. The problem is that it is actually very rare for there to be a totalitarian dictator that wants to make the country great as opposed to simply using his position as a chick magnet (otherwise Africa would be one of the most powerful continents on the planet).

I can't finish off this review without making mention of Marvin the Paranoid Android. No matter how disappointing the book ended up being for me, he still ends up stealing the show. Even though he is an incredibly intelligent robot (who has existed, by the end of the book, for millions of years) it is impossible to actually get anything out of him – namely because he acts like your typical self absorbed depressive – 'here I am, a brain the size of a planet and you want me to …'. Mind you, he really has his moments, especially when he is talking to a robot tank, and simply by being himself, ends up getting the tank to literally destroy itself (by shooting away the floor underneath it). In the end, it is the classic line that he gives when he is at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe (which is have quoted in the title, so I won't repeat it here) which is probably my favourite line of the entire series. Oh, and prophet that rocks up at the restaurant just before the universe ends, and doesn't get a chance to finish his apology for being late.

Maybe, just maybe, I'm being a little harsh on this book.
...more

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Oct 14, 2016 Paul O’Neill rated it liked it · review of another edition

This series is frigging hilarious. Unfortunately, that's the only thing this book has going on. The story was a bit all over the place.

There was also a lack of my favourite character, Marvin.

Not sure if I'll continue with this series as yet. The first book THGTTG is a must read though. ...more

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May 16, 2020 Trish rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The mice experiment is history, we know the answer to the question about life, the universe and everything, the Earth has been destroyed for that bloody bypass ... so what now? Well, Arthur and his companions are being hunted by Vogons and feel a bit peckish. So eating would be a good idea. Thankfully, there is a restaurant at the end of the universe - let's meet the meat!

We get some displacement both in time and space (resulting in some delicious linguistic tomfoolery) and meet the ruler of the ...more

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Feb 19, 2021 Michelle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021, audiobook

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is quirky and delightfully droll.

Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, Trillion, and Marvin were separated for much of their adventures this time around (mostly time travelling instead of actually roaming the galaxy in this book), so they interacted with an assortment of new and bizarre characters. (The ruler of the Universe was especially hilarious)

(view spoiler) ...more

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May 23, 2015 Sheila Beaumont rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, action-and-adventure, science-fiction, fantasy, funny, rereads, audiobooks

Just as much fun as Hitchhiker's Guide! A lot like P.G. Wodehouse (if he had written about spaceships). Definitely want to read the rest of the series.

I've just revisited this second entry in the series via audiobook. The narration by Martin Freeman isn't quite as lively as Stephen Fry's performance of Hitchhiker's Guide, but it is still thoroughly enjoyable. ...more

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Jan 03, 2021 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: aty-52, read-in-2021, books-i-own, zpopsugar2020

I first read The Restaurant at the End of the Universe about 30 years ago, but returned to re-read it recently to fulfill a challenge prompt ("A book with a robot, cyborg, or AI character").
Douglas Adams' series has certainly stood the test of time, remaining just as zany, amusing and insightful as it did when first published.
In this instalment, Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, Trillian and Marvin continue their galactic road-trip, narrowly escaping a mercenary attack by a Vogon ship before leaping through I first read The Restaurant at the End of the Universe about 30 years ago, but returned to re-read it recently to fulfill a challenge prompt ("A book with a robot, cyborg, or AI character").
Douglas Adams' series has certainly stood the test of time, remaining just as zany, amusing and insightful as it did when first published.
In this instalment, Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, Trillian and Marvin continue their galactic road-trip, narrowly escaping a mercenary attack by a Vogon ship before leaping through dimensions of time and space to Ursa Minor Beta, home of Megadodo Publications and the phenomenally successful guidebook The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where Zaphod hopes to meet the mysterious Zarniwoop. Zaphod argues with a Sirus Cybernetics Corporation AI Happy Vertical People Transporter (elevator) before being captured and transported to the desolated Frogstar World B, curiously surviving the Total Perspective Vortex with his usual cool insouciance. He finally tracks down Zarniwoop, the team are reunited and visit the titular restaurant, where temporal relastatics enables diners to observe the end of the Universe, two seatings per day, caberet-style. After lunch, including several Pan-Galactic Gargleblasters, they steal an attractive all-black spacecraft from the restaurant carpark, before unwittingly becoming a part of the stage-show for Disaster Area, a plutonium rock band from the Gagrakacka Mind Zones - not only the loudest rock band in the Galaxy, but the loudest noise of any kind at all. The remote-controlled black spacecraft transports them all to Kakrafoon, where the ship plunges into the sun as the climax of Disaster Area's gig. All but Marvin manage to escape the explosion at the last moment, using a faulty matter transferrance teleport. Arthur and Ford regain consciousness, feeling somewhat hungover, finding themselves again hitchhiking, this time on a Golgafrinchan colonising ark, whose affable captain spends all his time in the bath. They share jynnan tonnyx, before crash-landing into a small and utopian blue-green planet that seems strangely familiar...
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe was a quick and enjoyable read. I also listened to some chapters via the excellent Pan McMillan 42nd anniversary re-recorded audiobook version, narrated by actor Martin Freeman, who played Arthur Dent in the 2005 adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy a light-hearted and amusing read (or listen) with plenty of thinly-veiled references to organisational politics and the human condition. ...more

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Dec 26, 2015 Raúl Omar rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction

I was truly enjoying The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (you can read my review here ) when my sister gave me The Restaurant at the End of the Universe as a birthday present. Then I faced the weirdest conundrum (quite ad hoc for the weirdest book I've erver read): I didn't wanted the book to be over and at the same time I just wanted to finish the book so I could start reading the sequel. Well, the unavoidable happened, and the only reason I didn't undergo an OMG-I-can't-believe-this-is-over c ...more

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Jul 11, 2014 Joe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Douglas Adams wove two major plot threads into the first two books of his Hitchhiker's series. The more famous regards the destruction of the Earth, pan-dimensional mice and the ultimate 2-digit number (view spoiler). Less famous, but equally integrated into the narrative, is a cloak-and-dagger tale of inter-galactic conspiracy, the pursuit of power and self-performed brain-modification. For a cabal of powerful men seek 'the true ruler of the universe' Douglas Adams wove two major plot threads into the first two books of his Hitchhiker's series. The more famous regards the destruction of the Earth, pan-dimensional mice and the ultimate 2-digit number (view spoiler). Less famous, but equally integrated into the narrative, is a cloak-and-dagger tale of inter-galactic conspiracy, the pursuit of power and self-performed brain-modification. For a cabal of powerful men seek 'the true ruler of the universe' and the enigmatic Zaphod Beeblebrox cons himself into the quest, only he can't remember how or why he'd do such a thing.

That this second story proves less memorable shouldn't surprise, for by comparison it's a more standard yarn. There's a villain (an instantly-unlikeable publishing executive named Zarniwoop), procedural-style investigation (Zaphod probes his own brain to find evidence of the surgery he can't remember performing on himself) and a tidy resolution (the ruler of the universe is found and the villain is left stuck out in the rain, literally.)

But we might learn something from how Adams treats Zarniwoop; why cast a publishing executive as a contemptible schemer whose clandestine operation ultimately proves pointless? Is this an allegory for a publishing world corrupted by a need for manufactured significance and grandiose plotting? Perhaps.

But more telling is the title; The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, referring to that magical establishment that houses the best sequence in the whole series. It's a dinner date that riffs on food and astrophysics while giving us the conclusive variation on dinner-and-a-show. Yet at the same time, this amazing reservation is a pure excursion, having nothing to do with any of the ongoing plot threads. Our heroes dine-in seeking enjoyment, not galactic secrets. And in the following quote we find Adams at his least sarcastic, a hint about what he deems truly important:

'The History of every major Galactic Civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognizable phases, those of Survival, Inquiry and Sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why, and Where phases. For instance, the first phase is characterized by the question 'How can we eat?' the second by the question 'Why do we eat?' and the third by the question 'Where shall we have lunch?'

Edited 7-11-19 ...more

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About Douglas Adams

Douglas Adams

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Douglas Noël Adams was an English author, comic radio dramatist, and musician. He is best known as the author of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Hitchhiker's began on radio, and developed into a "trilogy" of five books (which sold more than fifteen million copies during his lifetime) as well as a television series, a comic book series, a computer game, and a feature film that was ...more

Other books in the series

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (6 books)

Books by Douglas Adams

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1)

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1-5)

Life, the Universe and Everything (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #3)

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently, #1)

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #4)

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Trivia About The Restaurant at...

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Quotes from The Restaurant at...

“The story so far:
In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.” — 22879 likes

“There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.

There is another theory which states that this has already happened.” — 7766 likes

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