Rating: 
Summary: Woberfully funny
Review: I picked up the Hitchhikers' Galaxy to the Galaxy beacause of the recommendation of a friend. I really had absolutely no idea what to expect except for the seemingly, pointless question he asked me, "What is the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything?". Needless to say, I didn't know what the heck he was talking about, and was even more perplexed when he told me the answer was 42. So, when my class was sent to the library to pick out a fiction novel to read for class, I found this book in my hands, and I'm glad I did. I find it quite difficult to describe this book, because I know I won't be able to do justice to it, but let's say I was constantly laughing the whole way through. The plot, or lack thereof, revovles mostly around an ape-descended lifeform living on the wretched blue-green planet in the Western arm of the universe, named Arthur. Arthur lives in England and lives a rather typical humanoid life, with the simple exception of his friend, Ford Prefect. Ford is a wonderfully interesting character who really is not a human, but an alien hitchhiking through the universe with the assistance of the trusty guide, yet finds himself exiled on Earth for 15 years and befriending Arthur. As it happens, a Vogon spaceship shows up and destoys Earth and all mankind to make way for an intergalactic highway, yet Ford and Arthur escape due to Ford hitching a ride on the Vogon ship. Thus, begins their adventure. Through a long, and quite improbable journey, Ford and Arthur meeting old aquaintences, the ruler of the universe, Zaphod Beeblebrox and another surviving human, Tillian. Together they go on a entirely zany and humorous adventure. It's really quite worth the read and the book we leave you desiring to read the next 3 books of the triology (yes, there are 4). My only complaint is that there is really no defining moment in the book that makes it truly memorable. I guess you could say its lacking any real climax. Also, the hundereds of juxtapostions, ilogical and improbably things, and oxymorons really leave you kind of feeling a little empty. For all the humor, the book is really lacking any substance or something to take away from it, even if you do now know the answer to the universe. Yet, I recommend it to all who are looking for a great laugh. Its a wonderfully written book and will keep you involved, so go check out!
Rating: 
Summary: Read it!
Review: I read this book because it was a choice for one of those aggravating reports we had to do in 10th grade, and it was the thinnest one on the list. After finishing, I wondered why I hadn't heard of it before. This is something that everyone with a sense of humor can appreciate, and if you haven't read it, I suggest you do so right now.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and witty . . .
Review: I downloaded the Audible.com version, and listened to it while in bed with the flu. Douglas Adams had me laughing so much. He really lifted my spirits. Listening to Marvin, the manic depressive robot, was especially helpful getting my out of my funk. I had read this book years ago, and it made a huge difference to hear him read it. I love his voice and the way he portrays the various characters. I had forgotten the answer to the great question of the life, the universe, and everything. I was so relieved to hear the answer again! Ah, now I feel so much better. ;-) I was sad to learn that Mr. Adams passed away earlier this year. I'm looking forward to experiencing more of his trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Dry, absurd and grotesque; simply great!
Review: If you took the dry humor of Joseph Heller and the unique science fiction of Kurt Vonnegut, you would be near an understanding of what this book is. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a bit of fresh air from most other Science Fiction. Everything from Existentialism to Asimov's Foundation series is hilariously scrutinized by the metaphysical universe that Adams used for the setting of this story. The humor of this book reminds me most of the story-lines on the Simpsons. The action of this book requires the reader to suspend his disbelief. This book is so grossly absurd that it almost seems to parallel some of the problems of modern life. In the end, this book shows that while most of these problems will never be overcome, there will always be fodder to poke humor at, and that's at least a start.
Rating:
Summary: BUY THIS IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE IN LIFE!!
Review: First off, any stupid turlingdromes who think this book is just one whole joojooflop situation can go to Belgium!!! Second, buy this book!! Third, this is THE funniest series in all of creation(even if the numbering is questionable)!! Fourth, buy(or "acquire") this book!! Fifth, this book changed my life. It totally warped my already liberal view point(nb on this point, if you are hardline Christian there may be a couple of blasphemous scenes) in a good way!! Fifth, but this book, or preferably, buy the leatherbound gilded version of all 5 books plus a bonus story that explains/confuses a lot of things!! Sixth, also buy the Dirk Gently and Liff series, and the Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card!! Seventh, buy this book!! Eighth, Douglas Adams passed away on May 11, 2001!! Ninth, Douglas Adams's initials are DNA!! Last, BUY THIS BOOK OR PAY THE PRICE!!
Rating:
Summary: Lives Up To Its Rep
Review: The hook for me, who is no science fiction genre reader, was the bit about the Vogons, the species that tortures its captives by forcing them to listen to bad poetry. Having been promised that, I picked it up and thoroughly enjoyed the high-minded wit and glee that endows THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. That and the book is rather short, making it perfect for when the mood calls for light reading but not junk food. Adams obviously had fun with this, kicking at all matter of conventions, including the genre in which he chooses to phrase his satire. His quintet of travelers are personable, even the self pitying robot. Written some time ago, the book presages some technology that is beginning to appear now; the titular travel guide referenced throughout the book, for which one character is a writer, resembles a Palm Pilot, for instance. My only complaint as an outsider to the genre is that there is no real climax and resolution in the story; after the initial, hilarious exposition, it heads into episodic adventure and just ends en route to another destination. Which means, I have to read the next book. I suppose there are worse punishments out there. This small hardcover edition is quite nice and a bargain. Go for it instead of a paperback.
Rating:
Summary: Is there something hidden in the mind of the writer!?!
Review: The absolutely whimsical meanderings of the author make for some delightful reading. It makes one wonder if it is also a social comment on today's high performance, technocrazy world.
Rating:
Summary: Irreverent, Hysterical, Imaginative, Brilliant!
Review: When I first read this book many years ago, I had trouble reading it in one sitting because tears of laughter kept getting in the way. It takes all of the seriousness linked to traditional sci-fi and tosses it out the window. It takes a particular and peculiar mind to take the story of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect and the rest in the directions it goes, and thank heavens Douglas Adams had such a mind. I cannot say how many times I have read this volume, along with the rest of the trilogy, because I cannot count that high.It takes a keen wit to devise such characters and situations, but a wit that does not require such strenuous thought to comprehend. Buy it! Buy it now!
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Sci-Fi Comedy (if there is such a thing)
Review: How many books try to combine two very different types of writing, let alone do it successfully? Well, Douglas Adams has done just that in this little book, and he alone rules this genre of sci-fi comedy. He has weaved together some wild futuristic scenarios using an improbability drive, the Vogons, the planet factory, the mice, and of course the guide - always with unpredictable British dry wit. The contrast of Zaphod (the care-free, figure-head galaxy President), Ford (the partying hitchhiker and reporter), Trillian (the mysterious woman), and Arthur (the bewildered last man on earth) is fantastic! Many sci-fi books have a robot, but how many are depressed and cynical? Guess what, Marvin is. Adams even throws in a some social commentary, which just makes you laugh at the way some things go around here. The fast-paced action and humor will always keep your attention as you learn why the earth was created and the answer to the question of the life, the universe, and everything. This book is a classic in both science fiction and comedy. It's a quick read, and you probably won't put it down. Unless, of course, you find out that the earth is about to be destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass and you've got almost no time get off!
Rating:
Summary: 42 Stars
Review: I give this book 42 stars. For a while, I would reread this book (and the others in the so-called trilogy) every year. It is pithy, fast-moving, quotable, and perfect beach reading. You'll appreciate your beach towel more than ever before when you're finished.
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