The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a humorous science fiction novel by Douglas Adams that follows the adventures of Arthur Dent, a mild-mannered Earthling who is saved from the destruction of Earth by his alien friend Ford Prefect. Together, they embark on a journey through space and time, encountering eccentric characters like Zaphod Beeblebrox and Marvin the Paranoid Android. The book is known for its quirky, whimsical writing style, filled with absurdity, satire, and philosophical musings on the meaning of life.
The plot revolves around Arthur and Ford's escapades as they hitchhike across the galaxy, facing bizarre situations and navigating through the absurdities of the universe. Adams' narrative style is conversational and comically bizarre, blending elements of science fiction with absurdist humor to create a unique and entertaining reading experience that challenges traditional storytelling conventions.
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From The Publisher:
It's an ordinary Thursday morning for Arthur Dent . . . until his house gets demolished. The Earth follows shortly after to make way for a new hyperspace express route, and Arthur's best friend has just announced that he's an alien.
After that, things get much, much worse.
With just a towel, a small yellow fish, and a book, Arthur has to navigate through a very hostile universe in the company of a gang of unreliable aliens. Luckily the fish is quite good at languages. And the book is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy . . . which helpfully has the words DON'T PANIC inscribed in large, friendly letters on its cover.
Douglas Adams's mega-selling pop-culture classic sends logic into orbit, plays havoc with both time and physics, offers up pithy commentary on such things as ballpoint pens, potted plants, and digital watches . . . and, most important, reveals the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything.
Now, if you could only figure out the question. . . .
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
"Extremely funny . . . inspired lunacy . . . [and] over much too soon."-The Washington Post Book World
SOON TO BE A HULU SERIES
Now celebrating the pivotal 42nd anniversary of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!
Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read
Ratings (1306)
Incredible (312) | |
Loved It (490) | |
Liked It (279) | |
It Was OK (156) | |
Did Not Like (58) | |
Hated It (11) |
Reader Stats (2000):
Read It (1335) | |
Currently Reading (11) | |
Want To Read (378) | |
Did Not Finish (47) | |
Not Interested (229) |
19 comment(s)
Started to read Douglas Adams having first listened to the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of this book. Have read all in the series and enjoyed them. Less fond of Dirk Gently series by the same author.
Reread. Last read it 2020. Its funny how much reading tastes changes over the years. Still like it but not at all as much. Lower rating this time around.
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This. Was. Amazing! I wasn't at all prepared that this tiny book would hold so much greatness and other worldy amazingness. It's funny, it's quirky and it doesn't try to be serious but it doesn't feel forced or overly ridiculous. It's just have enough fun bits and it doesn't feel overpowering. It's short but feel like it has the perfect length. I'm glad I got the next book on hand and I can easily say it's one of the best book I've read this year!!
a really funny book which made me actually laugh out loud a few times and an interesting story which kept me engaged to boot
It felt like it had no real plot.
Read it as a group read. It's a weird book, weird dialogues and weird creatures. I enjoyed the book though accepting all it's strangeness. I liked Ford and whom i felt the only intelligent creature (or sensible). I couldnt help laughing on some of the lines,its humourous... And yes it's the 1st book in the series and will be reading the next 4 books :)
I dont feel like it aged to where we are today. Even though it is a favorite of so many.
Douglas Adam’s wit, and talent with observing the absurdity of all things, helped a teenager in the 80’s find his place in the world. This book literally changed my life.
Favourite book thus far.
I generally wasn't very engaged by this book despite enjoying science fiction and more humorous texts. It may be due to the lack of plot.
I don't think this book is meant for me, it's a fun and light hearted romp through space where suddenly your house being demolished is very small in the face of a once in a lifetime trip to space.
I liked the part where the 42 bit was explained, it was an answer to the big question of life but they didn't know the question for it.
Nothing too exciting, but I also think that this book likely pioneered a lot of concepts in modern Sci-fi with an unlikely earthling being blasted off into space.
What can you read after
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?
About the Author:
Douglas Adams was born in 1952 and created all the various and contradictory manifestations of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: radio, novels, TV, computer games, stage adaptations, comic book, and bath towel.
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