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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This book and the rest in the series saved my life!!
Douglas Adam’s book remains funny and fun, and Stephen Fry’s narration is a delight as always. It had been decades since I’d last read this, and it was well worth coming back to.
From what I can tell, I’m not in the majority when it comes to rating The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I’m giving it a 3, which means I still liked it… but unfortunately, I wasn’t as fond of the humor as most people are.
This was a book club selection from about 6 or 7 years ago. We agreed to read just the first one in the …
A very original start to a great series
It’s Douglas Adams!!! A must read for every human on the planet or in the near vicinity.
I read this book about a million years ago; however, it made such an impression that I still remember it (and that is unusual!) I had never read anything like it before. All these years later, and hundreds and hundreds of books later, and I still have never encountered a book like it. It’s totally original, wild, wacky and fun. Treat yourself …
This book is always fun, every time I read it. I find new details that I missed before.
My husband challenged me to read this book. Not one to back away from a challenge, I read it. I can see why it has such a cult following. The characters are interesting as are the “theories” of the universe presented in the story. This book fits in the quirky sci-fi genre with some memorable ideas and lines. My favorite being (paraphrase): It’s …
You have to be in the mood to read this book. Think Monty Python. Unpredictable British-type humor. It’s actually a pretty short book, but the concepts and characters are huge. That’s why it was a radio show for so long — the interplay between the characters and their travels provide immense possibilities for scenes and actions. The first …
Every time I read this I laugh and laugh and laugh some more. It is a treasured classic on my shelf.
I have known of this book for many years. As I am now retired, I was able to take the time to read it and enjoy something that was whimsical and far fetched, but very original. I wondered how the author could possibly have thought this up. Fun, disjointed somewhat and somewhat funny.
I own the whole series in book form, the characters are eccentric I reread it often, it’s a great sci-if space comedy. Douglas Adams imagination was beyond limits, he did what he wanted and how he wanted and you just except it. Don’t dwell on that could never happen aspec, and Just enjoy story, believe like you once did in Peter Pan and Santa …
Oh come on, do we really need to review this book? It’s too good to be considered just another book. D.N.A. spins a fabulous yarn – I can only say READ IT, LISTEN TO IT (get the radio broadcasts), WATCH IT – you will be entertained & amused & will always remember where your towel is (if you can get the hang of Thursdays)!
Don’t Panic …
We lost him way too soon… read his book. Saw him speak at UCSB about 2 weeks before his sudden death (very early 40’s), and I can still hear him laughing his way through the stories. Wonderful sense of humor. Would give anything to have been one of his friends rather than simply an admirer. Good read.
Love,love,love this book! It made me laugh and I hated to put it down. They don’t write them like this one anymore. Anyone who has not read this, should. The characters are like no others. The plot is amazing. Just when you think you know where it’s going, it heads someplace else.
This is one of my favorite authors, and favorite series, in all of science fiction. I miss Douglas Adams. He was brilliant, and took us on a wonderful trip through the universe to discover the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Spoiler alert: The answer is 42. Now, if we just knew what the question is. …
This series of books is incredible. It has everything comedy, tragedy, action, romance, amazing characters (normal everyday good guys and villains you want to hate but can’t quite wrap your mind around actually doing it) in a world that only few could imagine. And instead of feeling all these ups and downs, the story moves along so light hearted …
Political satire wrapped in science fiction. A must read
Outstanding characters, stays with you long after you put this book down!