NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Extremely funny . . . inspired lunacy . . . [and] over much too soon.”—The Washington Post Book WorldSOON TO BE A HULU SERIES • Now celebrating the pivotal 42nd anniversary of the original radio show on which the book was based.Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American ReadSeconds before Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic … Read
Seconds before Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.
Together, this dynamic pair began a journey through space aided by a galaxyful of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox—the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian (formerly Tricia McMillan), Zaphod’s girlfriend, whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; and Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he’s bought over the years.
Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? For all the answers, stick your thumb to the stars!
Praise for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
“A whimsical oddyssey . . . Characters frolic through the galaxy with infectious joy.”—Publishers Weekly
“Irresistable!”—The Boston Globe
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“Don’t Panic.” The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: The Illustrated Edition is probably one of the funniest sci-fi books EVER, and it was first published on this date (Oct 12) in 1979.
This insterstellar adventure is definitely the best book if you’re looking for a laugh and don’t mind some deep insight on Life, the Universe, and Everything. …
I see why people call this book a classic. It’s juicy with off-the-wall irony and amusing one-liners:
“The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don’t.”
“Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.”
“For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen.”
… and on and on.
My only complaint …
Quirky, silly British humour (see what I did there?)
I love the way Adams played with syntax:
“The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don’t.”
Adams is a class of his own with fictional literature. Definite need to read this book if you have not. One word though, it is a lot of British humor with a lot of general humor, so just be aware of this fact. I occasionally run into someone who does not enjoy British humor like I do.
The wildly wacky novel that features Thursdays you can’t get the handle of and teaches the importance of towels. The plot involves aliens and the last human’s journey after Earth is destroyed. If you haven’t read it yet, you are in for a treat.
How can you NOT like this book? I’ve gone through 2 paperback copies and finally got it for
My Kindle. Fun to read and reread, stupid funny and ironic and hilarious on so many levels!
One of the greatest books of ALL time. Douglas Adams created a universe stuffed with depressed androids; fun-loving, skirt chasing, thieving, two-headed aliens; a human whose home and planet are destroyed to make way for bypasses and others that will blow your mind.
You must have an open mind, it helps drastically if you enjoy British style TV …
I read over a hundred books a year. There are only a handful that I have read several times. This is one of those books. The entire series is fun to read, but this one is the classic.
This is probably the most perfect, funny sci-fi book that you will ever read. It chronicles the adventures of Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent. This book is hilarious. It is honestly the first book that ever made me laugh out loud. This book never takes itself, the story, or you too seriously. You’ll meet tremendous people, like Slartibartfast, the …
I loved the book from the Forward to the end. The characters are very interesting and even believable. The story line is something only Douglas Adams could dream up. Lots going on but still easy to follow. Humor abounds as the story progresses. As with all of my reviews, i will not divulge the story. I will mention that you should read the …
I first encountered Hitchhiker’s aged 15 and it got me into trouble because I laughed out loud in the school library. I still think that Douglas Adams has a very English turn of comic phrase that resonates. All of the five books in the trilogy are good, but nothing beats the first one.
I think that’s because the set up is so strong, and it’s a …
One of the true inspirations for me as a writer.
I’ve read this book four times in hard cover and wanted an electonic version so it is with me when I travel. This book is absolutely funny,with memorable characters and quotes as they travel across the galaxy. It’s escapism with large doses of humanity scattered throughout characters from other dimensions. And, of course, there is a paranoid …
What can I say, this is the first installment of the 5-part trilogy science-fiction comedy by Douglas Adams. Read it and all the other books in this series to find out just similar road construction in Britain is to interstellar navigation construction, what a pan-galactic gargleblaster is, what a whale and a potted plant have in common, why …
A classic… Douglas Adams takes a sci-fi / fantasy storyline and marinades it liberally with his signature humor. Easily a five-star book!
This was a refreshing piece of literature. Adams writes beautifully and with what seems like effortless genius. What makes the book all the more captivating is that this genius is veiled in childlike silliness and sense of wonder that opens you up to the wonders of the universe.
This book is full of hilarious adventure and loveable characters. Once you begin to read it you find it hard to put down. Highly recommended!
This book was one of my favorites because it was very random at times, confusing, funny and full of surprises. I’ll never think of towels and robots the same way again! The rest of the series was just as entertaining!
It is indeed an amazingly witty book and I can’t recommend enough. A great read for anyone, whatever the age.
I read this book twenty or more years ago. I highly recommend it. It is great British humour at its finest. It asks the proverbial question: What is the meaning of Life?
I won’t give away the answer.
Just remember that before the Earth is destroyed, remember to take your towel before hitching a ride with a spaceship in outer space. We know …