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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I laughed and laughed and laughed. 43
This book is a masterpiece of humor and absurdity, and one of my all-time favorite books.
This book captivated me when I first read it – so original, very amusing and also extremely intelligent!
Timeless sci-fy classic. Many imitators now but none achieve the irony and humor in this book… series.
I read this many years ago and found it to be very disjointed and juvenile in places.
Typical British humor. Usually quite dry, full of caricature, and making fun of literal interpretations of figurative/euphemistic phrases.
I think it starts off well, but as it goes on the novelty subsides and the style starts to feel repetitive (in a boring way rather than a congealing one).
I loved it!
Classic for every sci-fi fan. Don’t forget your towel!
One of the best 42 books in the universe! I wrote a review years ago before Earth was demolished for the hyperspace bypass. Not really, my lying circuits are fully engaged…
While I think the radio plays came first, this is perhaps a more coherent version of the story of a man who survived the Earth’s destruction. Satirical, funny, and unpredictable.
OMG. I read this book in college when it was first published and have re-read it several times along with the other Douglas Adam ‘Galaxy” books. In fact, I introduced my sons to the books when they were in high school. Had the buy the series for each of them. These books are as entertaining today as they were ‘back in the day.’ Because of …
This is a classic. A very funny book worth the read.
One of the all-time funniest space romps
Love love love this book. My favorite number is 42 and I always carry a towel. It’s onee of those books that you read and you know you will always be on the inside of the joke.
This is one of my most favorite books! I read this in college before watching the movie to get an understanding of the movie before viewing it. Though the 2005 movie isn’t much like the book, I did enjoy the movie as well. Very hilarious and some entertainingly ridiculous characters and creatures.
Classic Science Fiction humor that never gets old after 40 some years!
I throughly enjoyed reading this book. I know it was very popular years ago but I didn’t read it until 2018. It is original and packed w/ characters who are funny, interesting and audacious. Not at all over the top w/ science based theory but well thought out.
So much fun!
This came highly Recommended and didn’t disappoint. The author isn’t witty and makes a lot of digs at culture on earth. It makes you take a step back and think, especially since it was written more than 20 years ago. Definitely will be rereading.
This is a fabulously funny book, and I recommend it. I’m not going to give anything away, just pick it up and start reading!