The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy

Douglas Adams

Average Rating 9/10 (2 Reviews)

'People of Earth, your attention please. This is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council. Plans for development of the outlying regions of the galaxy require the building of a hyperspatial express route through your star system, and regrettably your planet is scheduled for demolition. The process will take slightly less than two of your Earth minutes. Thank you'

For Arthur Dent, earthling and homeowner, the severe case of planning blight announced above is the overture to a quite remarkable set of travels, guided en route by an equally remarkable book - a book more popular than the Celestial Home Care Omnibus, cheaper than the Encyclopedia Galactica, it's . . .The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy!

It began as a radio series. Now it's a paperback. From hereon, anything literally anything, is suddenly possible.

Review by Chrissi (191100) Rating (8/10)
Review by Nigel (191100) Rating (10/10)

Review by Chrissi
This is one of the first "Science-Fiction" books that I can remember reading, and I have read it several times since.

Those things that stand out most for me are Arthur Dents pyjamas and dressing gown, and Ford Prefects Towel, they just stay in my mind and make me smile. Never mind the strange and unlikely events of the story. It was probably the first time that I had ever had cause to think that we may not be alone in the universe, and that if we were not, how would we know?

Anyway, it really is a classic book, series really if the others were to be included, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone who may not even particularly enjoy science fiction.

If you take away the fact that earth is scheduled to be destroyed, and replace this as say, your home in the way of the northern relief road (Birmingham by-pass), then the moral of the story could just as easily be that to ignore Local Council Planning Departments could very easily make you homeless, and ignorance is not an excuse… (nor is not having achieved inter-stellar travel, but never mind, eh?) .
Chrissi (19th November 2000)

Review by Nigel
Where to begin? This book is such a landmark in humorous fiction it should be on everyones shelves. All I can say is read this book, it's fantastic, it's brilliant, you will laugh all the way through.

What more can I say? ......ah yes, don't forget your towel :)
Nigel (19th November 2000)