The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Mid-Reading Discussion

[Winter, Group Reads]

This is where we will discuss the book after we start reading it in February.

Please remember to mark spoilers by using spoiler tags: [spoiler]...[/spoiler], but replace [ by < and ] by >

[Winter, Group Reads]

A few question that can be used to discuss the book:

- Hitchhiker's Guide makes fun of a lot of things, but are there any things that this book takes seriously?
- Hitchhiker's Guide is full of digressions and little stories that are set into the larger story. Do you enjoy these digressions? Do they take away from the pacing of the story? Did you ever find it confusing to follow the many different plots and digressions going on?
-Who do you think is the most important character in this book? Is there a hero/heroine here? Is there a character that you care about more than the others? Are there any villains?
- Do you need to know about science fiction to find this book funny or meaningful?

[Robynne]

If anyone is interested, I found the first 2 episodes of the original 1981 TV series on youtube.

(view spoiler)[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5zT-... (hide spoiler)]

I remember watching this in 1982 - which is 40 years ago!!!

[Ashleigh]

I just started! This is my first exposure to this book - never watched anything or read this before.

I'm already laughing so hard 🤣

[Joey (Eppic)]

I forgot how much fun a book like this could be, the ability of the author to “makle up words” and they still somehow make sene, to “make fun of, but also lift up” ideas is really interesting.
I cracked up when they referred to Jesus as a “man who got nailed to a tree because he thought being nice was a good idea”- the ability to simplify complex situation, poke a little fun, but bring to light the seriousness of the failed human condition, is refreshing today.
I read the first 4 chapter on my flight, I plan on finishing it up shortly as it is bringing me a lot of joy.

[Ashleigh]

I forgot to mention that I finished this a few days ago. 4.5/5 for me.

I found it hilarious and I loved it.

And I laughed so hard at the above quote Joey just shared. Was what started it all for me haha!

[Faith N.]

My first time through a book I've been meaning to read for years. Most of all I appreciated the humor that is, at times, concurrently truth and irreverence. I entered the tale through Arthur, a half-step behind the others most of the time, gazing at his new surroundings with confusion and wonder.

[Jennifer]

It is my first time reading this book. It definitely wasn’t something even on my radar, which is why I love this group! It was hard to get used to, the made up words and hard to say names, etc but I am enjoying it. My teenage son knew of it the minute I mentioned so I think I earned some “cool” points. Haha. I’m on chapter 7 and hope to finish it up in the next couple of days.

[Kelly]

I am about half-way through. Plan to finish within the next few days. Humour is great!