Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams

It's an ordinary Thursday lunchtime for Arthur Dent until his house gets demolished.  The Earth follows shortly afterwards, to make way for a new hyperspace bypass, and his best friend has just announced that he's an alien.  At this moment, they're hurtling through space with nothing but their towels and an innocuous-looking book inscribed with the big, friendly words:

DON'T PANIC.

The weekend has only just begun...




Hitchhiker's Guide Series:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Life, the Universe and Everything
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Mostly Harmless

Visit Douglas Adams' website for more information

Review:
When Arthur Dent wakes up on Thursday morning he has no idea of the kind of day that is in store for him.  It was bad enough when he discovered that his house had been scheduled for demolition but it only gets worse when shortly afterwards the Earth is vaporised to make way for a new hyperspace bypass.  Arthur discovers his best friend is an alien - which comes in quite handy when Ford is the one who gets Arthur off the planet just before it is destroyed - and soon finds himself hitchhiking his way across the galaxy.

I've been wanting to read the Hitchhiker's series for as long as I can remember so I really don't know why it's taken me this long to get around to it.  I'm glad I finally did though as it was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I can't wait to get stuck into the rest of the series.  There is a reason that this series is still as popular today as it was when it was first released 30 years ago and I was amazed at how many things I recognised as I was reading, references that have become a part of modern culture even if you don't realise where they came from.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a thoroughly whimsical read that often had me laughing out loud with its off the wall comedy.  The humor of the story reminded me a lot of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series as Douglas Adams had the same ability to take things from everyday life and twist them to show just how ridiculous they really are.  I challenge you to read this book without snorting with laughter, I know I couldn't do it.

At only 180 pages this is a great quick read when you're looking for something fun and light hearted to read.  If you're like me and new to the series (I'm guessing that will mainly apply to the younger generation) you're going to be introduced to a whole host of fun characters (from Zaphod the 2 headed, 3 armed president of the universe to Marvin the paranoid android), learn about the smartest species on Earth and find out the answer to life, the universe and everything.  I'm going to bet that once you've read this one you'll be joining me on a journey through the rest of the series.

Before I finish this review I just have to add how much I love the DIY cover on this version of the book that includes this great page of stickers so you can decorate the cover yourself!

Source: Won from Pan Macmillan in a Twitter giveaway

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