After I'd married my husband, he said I had to read this book, so of course I didn't. Then he made me watch the British TV series and then the movie. Well, he suggested it and as one of my wedding vows was to read and watch more science fiction, I agreed. A few months later, I finally broke down and decided it was time to read the book. And It Was Funny.
My recommendation is only for the first book because I haven't read the others in the series yet. Hitchhiker is just incredibly silly and fun and goofy and fast paced. I love Marvin, the depressed robot. I love the Vogons - their poetry is so bad that it could literally kill you. I love the idea of people creating a super computer to tell them the meaning of life and that the answer is 42.
I love Christopher Moore and Terry Pratchett and I find Douglas Adams to be the sci-fi equivalent. People that can write funny novels are rare. Many try and many fail, so I feel the personal need to support all of those that manage to do it. Hitchhiker does it.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that as long as science fiction isn't repellent to you, you will enjoy this book. Anyone else a fan?
Absolutely love Hitchhikers! Gave me the inspiration to develop my own quirky sci-fi space opera. Might happen. Might not. We'll see. Thanks for sharing this recommendation!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. For those of us old enough to know better, The Hitchhiker's Guide was a romp of a different color. Full of slightly skewed humor, sardonic views of human frailty, and with occasional wonderful, intuitive insights - it's only problem was putting it down.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the movie? I think it's hilarious. Zooey Deschanel is so cute in it. Plus there's a scene where everyone gets turned into yarn, which makes my knitter's heart leap up behind I behold it.
ReplyDeleteThumbs up.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this book, but like you, I've always struggled to read science fiction. I can get into fantasy but sci-fi? Oh, painful, and pushing it. Though if it has elements of humour as this one seems to it might not be too bad.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is the part where I have to admit I've never read it. Yeah, I'm like DUO, I don't read much Sci-fi, but I would if it had humor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments guys! @DUO and LG, I struggle with certain types of sci fi most definitely. It took me a lot of effort to get through Starship Troopers. This one, is worth it!
ReplyDelete@Anna - oddly enough, I've seen the movie and don't remember much about it. I blame Netflix. Too much right there for me to watch, can't retain!
I loved this book. The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul is pretty good, too. I've been told that the audiobook version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is great, too. Your post has spurred me into action, I'm going to go seek it out for our car trip next weekend.
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a movie or tv show made from this? I remember this years ago and it was very funny. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love Pratchett -- working my way through Discworld as I can -- but I just did not like Adams. I did try when I was a bit young (11 or 12) so maybe much of the humor just went over my head. I might have to give him another try!
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