The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
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Book Reviews of The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Book Review: You Almost Can't Ask For Anything More
Summary: 5 Stars
While reading this book, you will frequently find yourself debating a few things in your mind. One of those things is: "I really need sleep, but I need to read this book more, I just don't know what to do..."
This book is really a collection of all five books in the Hitchhiker's trilogy (um, ya, five books shouldn't be in a trilogy but thats how this series works), written by Douglas Adams. However, I had no previous experience with these books or with Douglas Adams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them in this form. I couldn't image having read one of the books, then having to wait to get the other one. This series really is meant to be read in its entirety. The entire story flows throughout each book and needs to be read in order too.
So here is the story, a terrible accident is about to befall earth which drags the main character, Arthur Dent, on a wild romp throughout a hilarious Galaxy. Arthur just wants to get back home to Earth which leads to the stunning climax. This series is full of one liners, two liners, and even some three liners. If your a fan of British comedy, British satire, sci-fi, or just great literature then Douglas Adams weaves a tale that will appeal to you.
The first book in the series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really should be required reading in school, it really is that good.
Most "funny books" wouldn't even attempt to dissect the absurdity of our so-called civilization, this is what sets the Hitchhiker series apart from anything else. At points you see that while it may be funny -- all it really is, is insightful. The ridiculousness of humanity is displayed brilliantly -- through aliens. You'll find yourself laughing out loud.
As far as the ending to everything, it is one of the best endings of any series ever (in my opinion of course). It really instills an important moral, whether you get it at first or not, you may have to think about it a while. The ending also wraps up everything and makes perfect logical sense. The spontaneous happenings will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end too.
This series deals with what it really means to be alive and what the meaning of life really is. Isn't that really what everyone wants to know anyways? The answer might be so funny you'll die laughing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie too, due out in 2005. I don't see how it could live up to the high standard set by this book but we will have to see.
If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend THE LOSERS CLUB: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them.
Overall, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really is great! A must read by everyone!
Book Review: You Almost Can't Ask For Anything More
Summary: 5 Stars
While reading this book, you will frequently find yourself debating a few things in your mind. One of those things is: "I really need sleep, but I need to read this book more, I just don't know what to do..."
This book is really a collection of all five books in the Hitchhiker's trilogy (um, ya, five books shouldn't be in a trilogy but thats how this series works), written by Douglas Adams. However, I had no previous experience with these books or with Douglas Adams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them in this form. I couldn't image having read one of the books, then having to wait to get the other one. This series really is meant to be read in its entirety. The entire story flows throughout each book and needs to be read in order too.
So here is the story, a terrible accident is about to befall earth which drags the main character, Arthur Dent, on a wild romp throughout a hilarious Galaxy. Arthur just wants to get back home to Earth which leads to the stunning climax. This series is full of one liners, two liners, and even some three liners. If your a fan of British comedy, British satire, sci-fi, or just great literature then Douglas Adams weaves a tale that will appeal to you.
The first book in the series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really should be required reading in school, it really is that good.
Most "funny books" wouldn't even attempt to dissect the absurdity of our so-called civilization, this is what sets the Hitchhiker series apart from anything else. At points you see that while it may be funny -- all it really is, is insightful. The ridiculousness of humanity is displayed brilliantly -- through aliens. You'll find yourself laughing out loud.
As far as the ending to everything, it is one of the best endings of any series ever (in my opinion of course). It really instills an important moral, whether you get it at first or not, you may have to think about it a while. The ending also wraps up everything and makes perfect logical sense. The spontaneous happenings will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end too.
This series deals with what it really means to be alive and what the meaning of life really is. Isn't that really what everyone wants to know anyways? The answer might be so funny you'll die laughing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie too, due out in 2005. I don't see how it could live up to the high standard set by this book but we will have to see.
If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend THE LOSERS CLUB: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them.
Overall, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really is great! A must read by everyone!
Book Review: Excellent Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
In the novel, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, the author uses direct and indirect characterization to effectively tell the story of the adventure faced by Arthur Dent shortly after finding out that his best friend is not human. Ford Prefect, Arthur's friend, is in fact an alien from Betelgeuse, and right from the beginning he is obviously dragging Arthur into some sort of trouble. The result is a joyride from planet to planet, and eventually to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Arthur, increasingly homesick, encounters dozens of problems ranging from a tea-making machine that does not make tea, to missiles flying at him from an "abandoned" planet. Arthur's whacky trip across the universe takes him to meet many interesting people, including the excessively eccentric Zaphod Beedlebrox, and even a female earthling that has been traveling the galaxy for some time. Each character he meets is completely unique, and their characteristics are revealed in a variety of ways. Sometimes, Adams simply describes the character to you. Other times, he indirectly reveals their true selves by the way they interact with each other and their environment. For instance when Ford keeps his calm when confronted by an infinite number of monkeys with typewriters, wanting to read their version of Hamlet to him.To Adams, it seems very important to have a character driven story. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the absolute epitome of this. The plot swings back and forth drastically according to the characters' whims, and each character reacts to each event in their own way. Adams even seems to add personality to inanimate objects, like the "Improbability Drive", a device that has infinite possibilities to do anything based on the improbability that it will happen, when it manifests a bowl of petunias and a whale several miles above a planet's atmosphere. As they plummet to the ground, Adams relates what goes through both the whale's, and the petunias' minds as the ground rushes up to meet them. This book is enjoyable because of the far out humor, and the way that each character contributes to that humor. While there is not a linear plot, Arthur Dent has one goal that he does strive for: to have a cup of tea, and get back home to earth to watch a game of Cricket. The absurdities and oddities in this book make it much more fun, especially because many readers should be able to relate to one character or other.
Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is an overall radiant book. His use of characterization adds to the story, as well as the humor, of the book. Each character's unique personality, the bizarre hilarity, and the imaginative encounters the party has, all bring an excellent book to the point of brilliance. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy easily warrants five stars, for it's superiority and the laughs that it will bring when read.
Book Review: You Almost Can't Ask For Anything More
Summary: 5 Stars
While reading this book, you will frequently find yourself debating a few things in your mind. One of those things is: "I really need sleep, but I need to read this book more, I just don't know what to do..."
This book is really a collection of all five books in the Hitchhiker's trilogy (um, ya, five books shouldn't be in a trilogy but thats how this series works), written by Douglas Adams. However, I had no previous experience with these books or with Douglas Adams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them in this form. I couldn't image having read one of the books, then having to wait to get the other one. This series really is meant to be read in its entirety. The entire story flows throughout each book and needs to be read in order too.
So here is the story, a terrible accident is about to befall earth which drags the main character, Arthur Dent, on a wild romp throughout a hilarious Galaxy. Arthur just wants to get back home to Earth which leads to the stunning climax. This series is full of one liners, two liners, and even some three liners. If your a fan of British comedy, British satire, sci-fi, or just great literature then Douglas Adams weaves a tale that will appeal to you.
The first book in the series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really should be required reading in school, it really is that good.
Most "funny books" wouldn't even attempt to dissect the absurdity of our so-called civilization, this is what sets the Hitchhiker series apart from anything else. At points you see that while it may be funny -- all it really is, is insightful. The ridiculousness of humanity is displayed brilliantly -- through aliens. You'll find yourself laughing out loud.
As far as the ending to everything, it is one of the best endings of any series ever (in my opinion of course). It really instills an important moral, whether you get it at first or not, you may have to think about it a while. The ending also wraps up everything and makes perfect logical sense. The spontaneous happenings will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end too.
This series deals with what it really means to be alive and what the meaning of life really is. Isn't that really what everyone wants to know anyways? The answer might be so funny you'll die laughing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie too, due out in 2005. I don't see how it could live up to the high standard set by this book but we will have to see.
If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend The Losers' Club: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them.
Book Review: You Almost Can't Ask For Anything More
Summary: 5 Stars
While reading this book, you will frequently find yourself debating a few things in your mind. One of those things is: "I really need sleep, but I need to read this book more, I just don't know what to do..."
This book is really a collection of all five books in the Hitchhiker's trilogy (um, ya, five books shouldn't be in a trilogy but thats how this series works), written by Douglas Adams. However, I had no previous experience with these books or with Douglas Adams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them in this form. I couldn't image having read one of the books, then having to wait to get the other one. This series really is meant to be read in its entirety. The entire story flows throughout each book and needs to be read in order too.
So here is the story, a terrible accident is about to befall earth which drags the main character, Arthur Dent, on a wild romp throughout a hilarious Galaxy. Arthur just wants to get back home to Earth which leads to the stunning climax. This series is full of one liners, two liners, and even some three liners. If your a fan of British comedy, British satire, sci-fi, or just great literature then Douglas Adams weaves a tale that will appeal to you.
The first book in the series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really should be required reading in school, it really is that good.
Most "funny books" wouldn't even attempt to dissect the absurdity of our so-called civilization, this is what sets the Hitchhiker series apart from anything else. At points you see that while it may be funny -- all it really is, is insightful. The ridiculousness of humanity is displayed brilliantly -- through aliens. You'll find yourself laughing out loud.
As far as the ending to everything, it is one of the best endings of any series ever (in my opinion of course). It really instills an important moral, whether you get it at first or not, you may have to think about it a while. The ending also wraps up everything and makes perfect logical sense. The spontaneous happenings will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end too.
This series deals with what it really means to be alive and what the meaning of life really is. Isn't that really what everyone wants to know anyways? The answer might be so funny you'll die laughing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie too, due out in 2005. I don't see how it could live up to the high standard set by this book but we will have to see.
If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend The Losers' Club by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them.