"Fifteen seconds later he was out of the house and lying in front of a big yellow bulldozer that was advancing up the garden path."
Douglas Adams' comedic novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a glimpse into a science fiction world where nothing is normal. Arthur Dent's Thursday begins with a hangover and a vague recollection of a late-night argument at the bar. Then a bulldozing team attempts to demolish his house, his friend Ford tells him the world is about to end, and the two of them are beamed onto the spaceship sent to tear down the Earth. No big deal, except they're now stuck aboard a ship captained by disagreeable Vogons who write bad poetry and like to dump hitchhikers out the airlock. Even if they can escape, Ford and Arthur have nowhere to go...except for a ship where the least probable things in the Galaxy are guaranteed to happen.
If any of that made sense, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the book for you. Witty, zany, and completely original, the plot follows Arthur as he travels across the Galaxy in a stolen spaceship that boasts the only Improbability Drive in existence, which takes the least probable outcomes of a situation and makes them happen--even if it means turning missiles into flowerpots or reintroducing Arthur to a girl he met at a party and the guy who stole her away. One of the nice things about this story is that it is so far out there that suspension of disbelief is startlingly easy.
That said, the plot of The Hitchhiker's Guide can be rather hard to follow at times. If readers aren't careful (or only pick up the book when they're too tired to pay attention), they'll be startled by the characters' sudden relocation to another planet or the seemingly random appearance of a large sperm whale. Arthur, despite being the main character of the novel, is little more than a bystander who has been caught up in something bigger and crazier than he understands. This point of view lends the writing a resigned point of view that suits the story nicely and makes for some truly funny scenes.
Adams' book is fabulous. It does, however, pose some problems for its readers that need to be addressed. First of all is the profanity and the unclean references. Although characters are usually clean-mouthed, they do drop a few "cuss words" and make the occasional sexual reference, though they aren't explicit. Also, readers who believe in God may find the author's flippant approach to religion and faith a little offensive. On the other hand, Adams has a great sense of humor that is translated well into his book. Whether they're eating peanuts or searching for the meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything, Arthur and his friends always manage to turn their problems into unforgettable comedy.
I would recommend this book to older readers interested in a funny science fiction story about a man whose Thursday is ruined by bureaucratic aliens with poor taste in poetry. With his wit, gung-ho approach to plot, and interesting cast, Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is great for audiences who just want to have fun. It does, however, contain a couple of dialogue scenes that may not be appropriate for children and a less-than-respectful view of God. Put it all together, and you get a novel that sits at the lower end of four stars.
If any of that made sense, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the book for you. Witty, zany, and completely original, the plot follows Arthur as he travels across the Galaxy in a stolen spaceship that boasts the only Improbability Drive in existence, which takes the least probable outcomes of a situation and makes them happen--even if it means turning missiles into flowerpots or reintroducing Arthur to a girl he met at a party and the guy who stole her away. One of the nice things about this story is that it is so far out there that suspension of disbelief is startlingly easy.
That said, the plot of The Hitchhiker's Guide can be rather hard to follow at times. If readers aren't careful (or only pick up the book when they're too tired to pay attention), they'll be startled by the characters' sudden relocation to another planet or the seemingly random appearance of a large sperm whale. Arthur, despite being the main character of the novel, is little more than a bystander who has been caught up in something bigger and crazier than he understands. This point of view lends the writing a resigned point of view that suits the story nicely and makes for some truly funny scenes.
Adams' book is fabulous. It does, however, pose some problems for its readers that need to be addressed. First of all is the profanity and the unclean references. Although characters are usually clean-mouthed, they do drop a few "cuss words" and make the occasional sexual reference, though they aren't explicit. Also, readers who believe in God may find the author's flippant approach to religion and faith a little offensive. On the other hand, Adams has a great sense of humor that is translated well into his book. Whether they're eating peanuts or searching for the meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything, Arthur and his friends always manage to turn their problems into unforgettable comedy.
I would recommend this book to older readers interested in a funny science fiction story about a man whose Thursday is ruined by bureaucratic aliens with poor taste in poetry. With his wit, gung-ho approach to plot, and interesting cast, Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is great for audiences who just want to have fun. It does, however, contain a couple of dialogue scenes that may not be appropriate for children and a less-than-respectful view of God. Put it all together, and you get a novel that sits at the lower end of four stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment