The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1) in What should I read next?: The book ending support group

Oct 28, 2010 Amy (Lost in a Good Book) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: to-re-read, owned

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Responsible for so many brilliant quotes; insights into life, the universe, and everything; demonstrating the nature of Vogon poetry (though on no account allow a Vogon to read poetry at you); and the saga that made the world that little bit greater.

This is the first book in the "trilogy" and created as an adaptation from part of the radio programme. I adore the Hitchhiker’s Trilogy. I fell in love with the television show first, then the radio show, then th The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Responsible for so many brilliant quotes; insights into life, the universe, and everything; demonstrating the nature of Vogon poetry (though on no account allow a Vogon to read poetry at you); and the saga that made the world that little bit greater.

This is the first book in the "trilogy" and created as an adaptation from part of the radio programme. I adore the Hitchhiker’s Trilogy. I fell in love with the television show first, then the radio show, then the books. Douglas Adams’ genius shows throughout them all. This particular story begins with a house. Not a remarkable house by any means, the only person for whom this house was in any way special was Arthur Dent; a simple man, no more worries than the usual person, except that he wakes to find his home about to be demolished for a bypass. This sets off a series of events as his friend Ford Prefect informs him that in fact the house is the least of his problems since the world is going to be demolished, in twelve minutes…to make way for a hyperspace bypass.

With Ford by his side, Arthur begins an adventure of a highly unusual and sometimes surreal nature, all whilst wearing his dressing gown. After hitchhiking surreptitiously onto a Vogon ship; surviving improbability; using doors that have a cheerful and sunny disposition; meeting the creator of Norway; finding out the Answer to the Great Question of Life, the Universe and Everything; and having a generally wild and exciting time, they then decide to have lunch. Why? Because the history of every major Galactic Civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognisable phases, those of Survival, Inquiry and Sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why and Where phases. For instance, the first phase is characterised 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? That’s why.

There are so many things to love about this book. We are introduced a range of unique and peculiar characters such as the President of the Galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillion, Marvin (darling Marvin!), the sperm whale, and a host of others that add to the organised chaos. What is also wonderful is that what is mentioned in this book becomes connected to those in the rest of the trilogy.

The Answer is possibly one of the most well known aspects of Hitchiker’s Guide. Stephen Fry, a friend of Adams and a glorious person all round, claims that Adams told him why the answer is what it is. Fry says that “Douglas told me in the strictest confidence exactly why [it is what it is]. The Answer is fascinating, extraordinary and, when you think hard about it, completely obvious. Nonetheless amazing for that. Remarkable really. But sadly I cannot share it with anyone and the secret must go with me to the grave. Pity, because it explains so much beyond the books. It really does explain the secret of life, the universe, and everything.” And if Mr Fry says it is so, and Mr Adams says it is so, then who are we to question?

There are a multitude of glorious quotes that come out of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I think if you read these quotes alone are a very good push in making people want to read about these strange adventures for themselves.

If you have read this trilogy, or once you have read this trilogy, you should branch out, find Adams' other works as he has many more wonderful books out there just waiting to be read. Embrace yourself in the Douglas Adams wonder, read this spectacular book while you relax on your towel, and most importantly, Don’t Panic.

An extended version of this review was published on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20... ...more

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Sep 25, 2010 Charles rated it liked it

The book is neither brilliant nor drivel. I understand neither those who "could not" finish it; nor those who have rererereread it. It is more overtly humerous, and less pseudo-scientificointellectual than most sci-fi.

It is silly, amusing, fantastic, clever, and engaging... but in that order. It is plotless but not plodding. It... well, it just "is." It is truly skin deep. It is as non intellectual; maybe even as non intelligent as a book can be.

2 1/2 stars, really. ...more

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