Mass Market Paperback, 160 pages
English language
Published March 16, 1979 by Pan Books.
'People of Earth, your attention please. This is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council. Plans for development of the outlying regions of the galaxy require the building of a hyperspatial express route through your star system, and regrettably your planet is scheduled for demolition.
The process will take slightly less than two of your Earth minutes. Thank you.'
DON'T PANIC
For Arthur Dent, earthling and homeowner, the severe case of planning blight announced above is the overture to a quite remarkable set of travels, guided en route by an equally remarkable book--a book more popular than the Celestial Home Care Omnibus, cheaper than the Encyclopedia Galactica, it's...THE HITCH HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY! --back cover
Plus you'll understand many more pop culture references!
I had no idea! I’ve read the Hitchhiker’s books before, and I knew it was performed for radio, but I always thought the book came first.
As for the radio version, the Primary Phase is a delight. The voice actors are all top notch, especially Stephen Moore as Marvin the Paranoid Android, and the writing was so ahead of its time for the 70s (and the 80s and 90s, for that matter). I would easily pay 30 Alterian dollars a day to listen to this again and again.
The book doesn't go into entirely too much detail than the movie portrays. Still an awesome story worthy if reading if you haven't, but you'll want to save your time if you've watched it already.
One of the best sci-fi novels ever written.
È il libro che consiglio di leggere a tutti, posso dire che ha rappresentato per me una parte importante della mia vita. Lo rileggo spesso e non faccio a meno di divertirmi ogni volta.
42 years later and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is still as absurdly funny, insanely perceptive and shockingly relevant as ever.
I still love the babel fish!
42 years later and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is still as absurdly funny, insanely perceptive and shockingly relevant as ever.
I still love the babel fish!
4.5 The middle-aged me is still every bit as delighted by this science fiction comedy as the teen me was shortly after its publication. Read my full review here.
I didn’t like it as much as an adult as I did as a child, perhaps because it feels a bit cliché now. Possibly because it started those clichées.
Most of the fun stems from its unpredictability. There are also some hilarious quotes in here. But, besides its gags, it doesn't have a lot to offer. The only theme to it is that (human) life is largely insignificant. But it's only explored superficially. Especially when rereading, the book can become somewhat of a bore.
Revisiting some old friends :)
Fun read. I'll likely read it again at some point. I caught myself drifting off to pay attention to other things while listening so a second listen will be even more enjoyable, I think.
I can't say enough! Douglas Adams has mastered the art of dry, ironic humor. So far, I've talked to people who love the book, and people who hate it; there seem to be no "it's OK" people. Interesting. I will definitely keep the rest of the series on my list.
Probably one of the most delicious sci-fi reads I've had. I read it in high school, and have gone back and read it several times since. A must read for anyone who ever used Babel Fish to translate things on the web. And, don't forget to bring a towel.
