Saturday, January 15, 2011

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is absolutely hilarious.

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

So, this was a book I first read (or attempted to read) a few years back, simply because I'd heard excellent reviews of it even then, and I found the book lying somewhere in my house. But back then I certainly didn't understand any of it, and so I let it go. But a few days back, I went and hunted for it and started reading it again, not sure really what to expect or whether I would like it. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is definitely not my regular genre of reading materials - its sci-fi with ironic humor, neither of which I tend to appreciate fully, but I definitely, definitely, dont regret picking up this book again - simply because this book is  interesting, intelligent, and extremely, extremely fun. 

The book is written in a witty and delightful style. The interludes in the book from the book 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', which incidentally is being written by one of the main characters in the book, and its comparison with the Encyclopedia Galactica are absolutely spot on, and besides this the irony in the book is also worth reading. (I love, for example, the entry 'earth' finally gets in this book.) The book is written in a loose, almost conversation style that works really well with the plot, which ranges from mostly improbable to totally crazy and takes you in all the corners of the universe and introduces you to a whole load of aliens of different temperaments, a very droll human, and an extremely morose robot. I love this last character - in fact, most of the characters in this series are genuinely hilarious and yet so real that they are completely worth reading, you don't feel the disconnect that you'd think you'd feel between yourself and these other-wordly robots and aliens and mice who form the major characters. The author has fleshed out a whole universe - more than this book can accurately portray (and mostly gives just a glance into) - in an interesting and deep way. 

I'd recommend this book emphatically to anyone who is actually interested in science fiction or enjoys dry, ironic humour, but I'd also recommend it to other people who like philosophy, who like to read, and who're into trying something a little bit different, and also most certainly to any fans of Terry Prachett . Its a book for all ages (beyond a certain age), and its the kind of book that can be read again and again and enjoyed again and again. 

Final thoughts: Hilarious, intelligent, thought-provoking - I recommend this book to anyone who is in to try something new and get taken for a ride. 

Other thoughts: Wow. Its been a REALLY long time since I've blogged. Rest assured that this is not going to continue - expect regular reviews from now on, as well as a lot of fun stuff. And if you've read an interesting book this winter, well, come on in and drop me a line because I've been looking for some recommendations in order to buy a few new books.


20 comments:

  1. seems interesting..
    you have an interesting blog here...
    keep blogging!

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  2. I wish I liked this book :(.Have fun reading the remaining parts!

    I'm currently reading India after Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha. A very detailed,interesting read on India's growth and events after independence.

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  3. Hi,

    Why didnt you like this book? And I am looking forward to the parts ahead...

    And this book was recommended to me by my library teacher too. I'll check it out for sure. :)

    Thanks for visiting. :D

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  4. This is one of my fav book.. I completed five parts of it.. will soon pick up the last one 'and another thing'..
    The best part of the book is 'Ultimate answer to life, universe and everything - 42' :)
    Great review.. keep blogging :D

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  5. I have seen the movie! A lot of British humor in it!

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  6. Thanks for visiting my blog.
    I loved ur blog. We share the same passion towards reading.. Great!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. new update :D <3

    haha i agree with everything :) i enjoyed the book too :D
    although it's such a nihar-ish book! hai na? :D
    just like him- weird but awesome ;)

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  8. @Sayed:
    I'm really looking forward to the rest of them! :)

    @Nona:
    I agree completely. But I enjoy british humor, so...

    @Manjulika: Thanks for visiting. :)

    @Aanal: Haha, all thanks to you....
    And yes, it is, totally. :)

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  9. Oye!
    That's my name!

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  10. My name is something...Figure it out...January 17, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Nice review...

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  11. I read the first book of the H2G2 early last year, but somehow I didn't continue!! It's a great book though, spot on review!
    And since you've recommended it to Terry Pratchett fans I think I'll read the sequels now!

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  12. Haha, Priya, do tell me how they are too. :)

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  13. @nihar- hahaha :D
    you're awesome ;P

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  14. I like your review and it was definitely a hilarious book! My problem with it was that the plot didn't seem to be a real plot. Like... there whole story had no meaning. Don't get me wrong--it was funny! But just kind of meaningless. If I find the time though I'm gonna try and read the rest of the series. Good review :)

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  15. oh no I meant "their whole story" jeez that was gonna bug me. sorry.

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