The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

I love the humor. This is my favorite series.

So I actually read this version of the series. By version, I mean physical option for packaging. Originally five books, I bought the series all in one binder and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a series that my husband really wanted me to read as he read it as a youth and loved it. It is quirky, hard-to-relate-to, and not extremely cohesive, but all of these qualities seem to be why it makes so much sense. It's not something I could explain nor understand without reading it myself. But I will forever understand the phrase: "The Five Books of the Trilogy." And thanks to the books, I know the answer to life's greatest question... I may have read one physical binding, but I'm putting all of the books in my log, because I want credit for them, damn it. And, oh yeah, check another for the 1001 books list! Woo Hoo!

I can't convince anyone that this is the best book ever unless I type out the whole thing here. Douglas Adams has such a dry sense of humor and his subtle humor just cracks me up. Sometimes I'm reading along and then have to go back because I just figured out that there was a joke I missed. Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Arthur Dent are hilarious and amongst all this humor is hidden some serious life truths. I want to quote most of the book, but I shall refrain. All eyes were on Ford Prefect. Some were on stalks.

I last read this in 2004. This one of the few books that can make me laugh out loud while reading. Well worth it.

This volume was recommended to me by a student from last year. he begged me to let him write his research paper over Douglas Adams. Right from the start, I enjoyed the wit and charm. It was easy to see why people like these works. This was emphasized for me by the self-deprecating treatment Adams uses in the introduction. I appreciate that in an author. I also enjoyed the satirical commentary on all subjects from religion to politics to the importance of sandwich making. This was a fun read for me. It was not high art. It was thoughtful, but not in such a way that wrinkles the brow and causes confusion. And by around page 600 or so, I was ready to be done. Granted, I read 5 novels and one short story in one volume (what should I expect), but it was as if I'd covered as much as was needed. Oh, and I didn't really like the end, but that's personal preference, taste, and opinion. Take it as is. I might read more of Adams later on, if I get my hands on another of his works.

The single greatest literary endeavor of any kind in the entire history of the universe. HANDS. DOWN.

This collection of five books and a short story can be very difficult to plod through after a while. It is a parody of science fiction that has very British humor and can be difficult for many people to connect with. The first book is fresh and witty and the second one mostly is too, but as it goes on, it becomes very rambly and inane. It doesn't always make sense and thus begins to feel pointless. The humor becomes stale and is even recycled. After reading five continuous books, it does not feel like a saga, but rather a long, inane ramble. It also has rather dark and depressing humor that is rather nihilistic and mocks the idea of belief in any kind by illustrating that there is no order to the universe. Again, it starts out fun, but didn't need to be dragged out that long. It is nearly impossible to read thie whole collection at once. Breaks with other books are needed.

Really random. REALLY random. So random that I don't get it. It's funny though.

The Hitchhiker's Guide books are endlessly entertaining. They have just the right mix of scifi and humor to keep you reading. The journeys of Arthur Dent are at times hilarious and at others tragic (in a hilarious way). In these books we realize that the universe is a ridiculous place where time has little meaning and people think mammals are a little on the primitive side. Being from a small, unremarkable planet on the unfashionable end of the galaxy who can blame them? The universe of the Hitchhiker's Guide is a place filled with unexpected jokes. Case in point, we are told by Adams that there's an art to learning to fly... well more of a knack really. It relies on the ability to throw yourself at the ground and miss. And just because "Belgium" is the name of a small European country here on Earth doesn't mean that "belgium" can't be a very dirty word elsewhere. The characters are quirky and endearing. You'll love them all, from the self-obsessed Zaphod to Marvin the Paranoid Android. There's so much fun to be had reading about the adventures Arthur Dent has in a universe that, quite frankly, could do without him. So cuddle up with your towel, make a Perfectly Normal Beast sandwich, and read it already.

Easily my favorite book for over a decade since I've read it first and have re-read several times. All five books of the trilogy. Every time it is a delight to surf Douglas Adams' satirical narrative. Though the surprises are gone after the first reading the pure joy of reading it remains. (frankly the same goes for all the works by the author)