Rating: 4 Stars
Source: Library
Description: Seconds before the 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 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 begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy -full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox - the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy: Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot: Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years. (From Goodreads)
Genre: SciFi
Why I Picked This Book: I read this book about 25 years ago and remember enjoying it so I really wanted to reread this.
My Impression: This is all kinds of madness in the best possible way! After reading this I'm not surprised that Douglas Adams wrote episodes of Doctor Who as the very dry humor and irreverent tone of Hitchhiker's Guide is very similar to the feel of many of Doctor Who episodes. I love the tone and humor of this book and it's definitely a story that stays with you even though there is no life lesson to be learned - other than be prepared and be willing to roll with whatever happens and even that's kind of a stretch. I loved Arthur and Ford and their journey through space was definitely entertaining. The end isn't really an end of a story but an end of a phase and I'm looking forward to continuing with the rest of the series.
I know several people who didn't care for this book and reading it I can see why. There's a number of tangents that kind of go nowhere. While I found them amusing and adding to general feel of the story and the universe I can see people getting frustrated. Also, character development is on the light side. Even Arthur who is basically the main character has one primary emotion which is basically bewilderment. I'd really like to see more of Trillian/Tricia and am hoping that will happen in the next books.
Overall, I found this to be a quick and thoroughly entertaining read.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely! I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
Would I Recommend this Book?: Yes, I would though the style is so distinct I can see how not everyone would love this one.
Challenges Met? Library Challenge, The Reading Assignment Challenge
I've never read this but heard so much over the years- and I am curious about the zaniness of it. It just sounds like a great read and refreshingly silly. Sometimes fun is good just for fun's sake! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I've just started getting into DR. Who so the fact that there is some similarity is kinda neat, too.
Read this one! It's a really easy read and just so fun! Adams wrote a number of episodes for Tom Baker's Doctor and he and the series were really meant for each other.
DeleteYay! I'm so excited to read The Hitchhiker's Guide! I'm thrilled you still enjoyed it after already reading it! Thanks for your review and happy reading! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really enjoyed rereading this one and can't wait to read more of this series!
DeleteI read this one a long time ago, too. Maybe about 15. I liked it too, but I really can't remember much. I should give it a re-read. Glad you enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun and it was kind of weird because while I enjoyed this book I don't think I got anything different out of it than I did when I was 13!
DeleteThis book is so great! I love the whole series, though it's definitely light on the character development! haha :P I just love his writing style though. It's so unique - I think it's brilliant, though I can see what you mean about it possibly not appealing to everyone. Great review!
ReplyDeleteRachel @ Dashing Good Books
I definitely loved this one and I was so glad it held up to a reread. I have no idea why I haven't read more but I definitely plan to fix that.
DeleteMy husband encouraged me to read this and the following books in the series and I loved everyone. It's such a fun series. I did not like the movie though. I am glad you enjoyed re-reading it, Katherine! The idea of re-reading a book I really liked always makes me a bit nervous.
ReplyDeleteI actually liked the movie but there are definitely some changes. I was a little nervous rereading this one so it was a big relief when I liked it! I'm really looking forward to reading more of the series.
DeleteWe are dating ourselves, but I read it about 25 years or more ago too. I quite enjoyed it, but don't think I will revisit since I often find I feel differently.
ReplyDeleteOh I know! The fact that I did anything 25 years ago is scary! How can I be that old?
DeleteThis one does pique my curiosity. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun read and while I'm not a big scifi reader I really enjoyed it.
DeleteI have never heard of this book but it sounds interesting. Thank you for the great review and for all of your visits to my blog:)
ReplyDeleteOh you're welcome. This is way outside my usual genres but it's such a fun read!
DeleteMy husband read this book as a teenager (early 80s), and it's still one of his favorites. He still quotes from it regularly, lol.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one and so quotable. I'm not much of a scifi reader and I really enjoyed this one.
DeleteNever read this, not a bit sci-fi fan, but love Doctor Who, so maybe I could give it a try. :)
ReplyDeleteOh do give it a try. I'm not a big scifi reader but I really like this one. It's kind of like one of the lighter episodes of Doctor Who.
DeleteI read this decades ago, too. Have always wondered whether it would hold up... maybe it's safe to revisit after all.
ReplyDeleteThis was a weird reread because I don't feel like the experience really changes. Even though I'm quite a bit older I didn't really pull anything different out of it. It kind of is what it is I guess?
DeleteI read this one years ago too. It's a good book.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it!
DeleteIt's been so long since I read this. I remember enjoying it, but I have no interest in picking the rest of the series up or going back and re-reading this. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI can see where this would be a one and done book. Thanks!
DeleteI have heard the title of this one for years. Always thought it was a NF. Ha so wrong. Sounds good and I think if I read it I would want to listen to it on audio.
ReplyDeleteLol! No definitely not NF or at least I really hope not! This would be a fantastic audio choice! It kind of reads like an audio narrative.
DeleteYeah, it's light on the character development but the humor, wit, and sly observations made up for it, for me anyway. Will you read the next book?
ReplyDeleteYup, this is one wacky read. I did enjoy it though. And the movie too. I think I'll only got to book three. So at some point I need to do a re-read so I can finish the series.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
Glad you enjoy it, it is so bonkers and brilliant, will need to re-read it myself!
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Heather | Random Redheaded Ramblings
I read this years ago and remember not liking it very much, but I love Dr. Who so maybe my idea of humor has changed!?! I'm glad you enjoyed this, Katherine. I'll have to watch to see how you like the next book or two. I know lots of people love these books.
ReplyDelete