Rating: 
Summary: The typical adulation.
Review: A book I have read more times than I can imagine, Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a book that would probably be considered one of the best American novels ever written if it wasn't for the fact Adams is British. I first read this book sometime in the '80's and every time I reread it I uncover new jewels from the prose.The language is expressive in a way most contemporary fiction simply isn't. The analogies are strange and surprising and wonderful. Instead of merely being words on a page, this book has a such a distinctive, lighthearted voice that it allows a person to almost hear the author speak. To be sure, this is not a science fiction novel in the normal sense. The reader is not expected to wonder at the majesty of fantastic cities reaching to the skies where, within, the reader is fascinated by all manner of wonderful inventions. This is a book of everyday life extrapolated to an entire galaxy. Yes, there are interesting doodads interspersed, but they do not serve the "Wowwee" factor so much as the idea of "Yep, that's what a large corporation would make, all right." For people who like to believe in benevolent galactic empires and the eventual triumph of logic in all endeavors, the mishmash conglomeration of nonsensical entities and the triumph of bureaucracy over common sense will frustrate their idea of what science fiction is supposed to be. This ain't the Foundation Series. Yes, it is silly, strange, and seemingly inane, but everything follows its own bizarrely congruous logic that allows the reader to suspend their disbelief and enjoyably follow along in a world that makes it own nonsensical sense. I suppose the humor could be called Pythonesque since I have to guess that anybody who does not enjoy Monty Python would not enjoy this book. However, for people who enjoy vivid language, entertaining characters, quick and witty humor and a plot that is truly original, this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: An Interesting Journey
Review: Setting the ultimate questions of life, physics, and digital watches against a backdrop of science fiction, Douglas Adams successfully creates an amusing and thought-provoking story that is considered a must-read by millions. Arthur Dent, the fortunate Earthling who has been miraculously rescued from the destruction of Earth with the help from some friendly Dentrassi cooks, acts as the readers alter ego due to his complete lack of knowledge concerning the universe. Arthur asks the same questions that we would ask, should we be in his position. The majority of the answers about the universe obviously come from Ford Prefect's copy of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Within this manuel, Douglas Adam's provides the reader with a brilliantly shaped world which lives within his imagination. The most clever aspect, however, is the fact that Adams has a rational explanation for each of the entries in the guide. For instance, he explains for a page and a half why putting a Babel fish in one's ear allows the brain to understand every language in the universe. In addition to his wonderful imagination, Douglas Adams must also be praised for his humorous treatment of the major questions of life. When asked the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, Deep Thought(the second greatest computer in the Universe of Time and Space), comes up with the very simple and unexpected answer of "forty-two". Adams plays off of the reader's inquisitive nature by building up the suspense and finally showing them that in order to know answers, you must understand the questions. This is an amazing journey through philosophical experimentation that the reader will never forget.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious!
Review: A delightful blend of science fiction and humor, this book is possibly the funniest book I have ever read. The best thing to ever come out of Ursa Minor and much better than the Encyclopedia Galactica. I also reccomend the Dirk Gently novels: "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" and "The Long, Dark Teatime of the Soul".
Rating:
Summary: An All Time Great!
Review: The first thing to note is that despite its name this is not a guidebook. Rather, it is an intricate story about a group of people - and a paranoid android - with rather nebulous connections who use, work for, or are otherwise involved with "the Guide". Although some fans of "hard" science fiction do not have much time for this book, I think that it is a classic. Adams uses everything from subtle irony to blatant sarcasm - plus a fair about of slapstick - to weave this complex and highly improbable story which pokes fun at most professions, many ideas and just about every thing else in the history of time and space. If this book doesn't make you laugh you need a vacation. If it does, the good news is that Adams manages to keep the concepts and jokes fresh throughout most of the 5 book "trilogy" which is testimony to his skills as an author. And a final note - which has got to be the most compelling reason to buy the book - if you don't know what the number 42, towels, yellow bulldozers, and mice have in common - Don't Panic! - you will once you have read this book!
Rating:
Summary: GOT TO HAVE MORE
Review: I love the sarcasim focused on our global society. Though this book is based on British standards, it hits spot on where ever you are. I could not put the book down. When I finished, and wanted more, there it was, book two. The whole series pokes fun at our society, and moral standards. I say keep it up.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, Insightful, and Great
Review: You simply must read this book! It is filled from cover to cover with incredible language and humor. You will not read a paragraph that does not spark loud and uproarious laughter from within you... If this book does not, you must be dead.
Rating:
Summary: Ingenius humor , fluid , and more fun than you had in years.
Review: This series is nothing short of a work of a genius. From Arthur Dent's charcter to Ford Prefect's to Slartibartfast's to the WORSHIPED Marvin - I've never read such a clever , humoristic writing. You don't even get a break , you read a new joke every sentence. If you want to breath , you'll have to put the book down. And another thing , you won't be able to stop reading , so if you buy the book , make sure you have a couple of days off before you read the first word. I envy those of you who read this review and decided to buy the book , for you are going to read it for the first time - a thing I wish I could do again. Alas , I can only comfort myself in re-reading certain ultra-memmorable passeges. VERY RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: The funniest novel ever
Review: I'll make this short and to the point. "Hitchhiker's Guide" and "Restaurant at the End of the Universe" are the funniest novels ever written. The two together would make one incredible book. It seems like the story really ends at the end of "Restaurant" and after that the series starts getting a bit worse, so at least read the first two. If you like this type of humor you'll probably also like the funniest nonfiction books ever written too -- Woody Allen's 3 books. These 2 by Adams and the 3 by Allen make the 5 funniest books in the world.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Hilarious
Review: This book is non-stop laughs from beginning to end. The extent of the "fiction" is so outrageous that you can't help but laugh. Very highly recommended to any reader with a vivid imagination.
Rating:
Summary: One Hoopy Frood
Review: I don't know what to say about Douglas Adams except; that cat really knows where his towel is. This book is just plain funny, and it will soothe your science fiction needs as well. After reading so many science fiction stories about what alien life might be like, here is a universe which is not only teaming with alien life, but it turns out that most of that life is every bit as flawed, and often ridiculous, as life here on Earth. Which in a strange way makes you feel OK about the whole thing. In an infinite universe anything is possible; it takes an author like Adams to suggest (as he does in one of the stories) that the natural wind patterns of one planet results in the landscape being eroded over time into nothing but expensive hotels and casinos. ANYthing can happen, not any plausible thing - even if you aren't a science fiction fan, I think you'll still enjoy this.
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