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chrisdavis's review against another edition
5.0
This book is timeless. It really just doesn’t seem to age at all. If you are one of the few that has not read this yet, then please get on it soon. If nothing else, you will understand where many pop culture references are from and will know why the answer to most questions is 42!
Arthur Dent wakes up one morning with his house about to be demolished. His friend, Ford Prefect, drags him off to the pub and tells him a story that puts Arthur’s house problems into perspective a bit. Turns out Ford is an alien, and the Earth is about to be destroyed to make way for an intergalactic highway. This first section of the book is just constantly hilarious and worth reading more than once. Ford introduces Arthur to the infamous Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and they hitchhike a ride off Earth just before it explodes. The rest of the story is a fast paced adventure through space.
The book is really a transcription of the radio show and therefore it does move at a really quick pace. It is fair to say that this is not your typical sci-fi. Imagine a short story, sci-fi version of Discworld. That’s the best way I can think to describe it. You will find that the book is slightly low on explanation and description. Adams is no worldbuilder (although ironically one of the characters is!!), but that is not what the book is supposed to be about.
All the books in the 5 book trilogy are short enough to make the whole thing readable in one go. This time round though, I am reading one at a time and reading other books in between. I think it is better that way. The style of writing is best in small doses, because otherwise you read it too quickly and miss lots of the subtle references. Well, I do anyway.
9/10
Arthur Dent wakes up one morning with his house about to be demolished. His friend, Ford Prefect, drags him off to the pub and tells him a story that puts Arthur’s house problems into perspective a bit. Turns out Ford is an alien, and the Earth is about to be destroyed to make way for an intergalactic highway. This first section of the book is just constantly hilarious and worth reading more than once. Ford introduces Arthur to the infamous Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and they hitchhike a ride off Earth just before it explodes. The rest of the story is a fast paced adventure through space.
The book is really a transcription of the radio show and therefore it does move at a really quick pace. It is fair to say that this is not your typical sci-fi. Imagine a short story, sci-fi version of Discworld. That’s the best way I can think to describe it. You will find that the book is slightly low on explanation and description. Adams is no worldbuilder (although ironically one of the characters is!!), but that is not what the book is supposed to be about.
All the books in the 5 book trilogy are short enough to make the whole thing readable in one go. This time round though, I am reading one at a time and reading other books in between. I think it is better that way. The style of writing is best in small doses, because otherwise you read it too quickly and miss lots of the subtle references. Well, I do anyway.
9/10
jpcc's review against another edition
5.0
That didn't feel like an ending, I ejoyed it so much I finished it without realizing
ckcw's review against another edition
1.0
What I learned from this book series is that I seem to be the only person on the planet who wholly detested this book series.
mxtt_c's review against another edition
5.0
A thoroughly enjoyable book from cover to cover. The fact that it is a written text does not detract from the humour abundant throughout. The book has a very defined unapologetic British humour which just hits every note perfectly. It is a book that could so easily make you fall in love with the whimsical plot and characters because it is the perfect mood booster. A feel good and casual read.
j_rowley's review against another edition
5.0
Arthur Dent is not having a good day. He wakes up to find a demolition crew outside his home. They are tearing it down to make room for a new road. Then it goes from bad to worse when his planet is destroyed to make way for a new path through the galaxy.
He is saved by alien Ford Prefect, who is a writer for a travel book called The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. They are hiding in a ship and get kicked off only to be picked up by another which has the only other human saved from destruction, Trisha McMillan or Trillian.
Funny, really good as an audio.
He is saved by alien Ford Prefect, who is a writer for a travel book called The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. They are hiding in a ship and get kicked off only to be picked up by another which has the only other human saved from destruction, Trisha McMillan or Trillian.
Funny, really good as an audio.
tgholar2's review against another edition
2.0
I was shocked. Whenever i read a book that was turned into a movie I Always like the book Wayyyy more. Unfortunately I saw the movie first and I enjoyed it so much more than the book. The characters on screen were so charming and quirky, but in the book they come off as boring. There was something else that I didn't like about the book but I can't remember anything about book
weaponizedfun's review against another edition
4.0
I can't count how many times I've read the first book of the triology, but it's been over two decades since I have last done so. Always an easy, quick read. Maybe I'm a little older but I found Zaphod less annoying and enviable, Arthur a bit more likable, and Ford a lot more like Dirk Gently.
menisadi's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
antonblender's review against another edition
5.0
The only thing better than reading The Hitchhiker's Guide the Galaxy is listening to Stephen Fry read The Hitchhiker's Guide the the Galaxy.