Buy: @ Powell's Books
Read if you like: Snarky parody, adventures on other planets, avoiding trashy sci-fi, puns, the movie version, The Thursday Next novels, Mel Brooks, dry British wit, towels.
Why should you read this?
Imagine you are Arthur Dent, British everyman, except that your life is so much worse than average. It is depressingly banal. Unfortunately for you, your home (and the planet Earth) are scheduled for demolition due to the building of an hyperspatial expressway. Hijinks ensue!
The plot of is really not what's important here. Sure, we zip around the universe with Arthur (who, at the best of times, would like nothing better than to get the hell away from all of these odd aliens and just have a cup of tea) and yes, that's very fun. But, this isn't donuts-for-dinner.
The great thing is that this book is so funny. There are puns, allusions, and witty quips on every page. I actually laughed inappropriately in public while reading. Adams manages to take on politics, scientific progress, religion, celebrity, and life with both irreverence and sincerity. Even though we may think it is just a madcap adventure tale we have poor, displaced Arthur Dent who is so bumblingly (yeah, I just made that word up) wonderful and just as neurotic as we all are. He especially hits at your gut when you least expect it: "He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it." You and me both, Brother Dent.
I always like a book that, under the candy-fun coating, gives me something substantial to chew on. This one has that and the answer to the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. Believe it, or not.
Excerpt that proves all that crap I just said:
Why should you read this?
Imagine you are Arthur Dent, British everyman, except that your life is so much worse than average. It is depressingly banal. Unfortunately for you, your home (and the planet Earth) are scheduled for demolition due to the building of an hyperspatial expressway. Hijinks ensue!
The plot of is really not what's important here. Sure, we zip around the universe with Arthur (who, at the best of times, would like nothing better than to get the hell away from all of these odd aliens and just have a cup of tea) and yes, that's very fun. But, this isn't donuts-for-dinner.
The great thing is that this book is so funny. There are puns, allusions, and witty quips on every page. I actually laughed inappropriately in public while reading. Adams manages to take on politics, scientific progress, religion, celebrity, and life with both irreverence and sincerity. Even though we may think it is just a madcap adventure tale we have poor, displaced Arthur Dent who is so bumblingly (yeah, I just made that word up) wonderful and just as neurotic as we all are. He especially hits at your gut when you least expect it: "He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it." You and me both, Brother Dent.
I always like a book that, under the candy-fun coating, gives me something substantial to chew on. This one has that and the answer to the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. Believe it, or not.
Excerpt that proves all that crap I just said:
"If I asked you where the hell we were," said Arthur weakly, "would I regret it?"
Ford stood up. "We're safe," he said.
"Oh good," said Arthur.
"We're in a small galley cabin," said Ford, "in one of the spaceships of the Vogon Constructor Fleet."
"Ah," said Arthur, "this is obviously some strange usage of the word safe that I wasn't previously aware of."
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