November '10 - "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

[Scheherazade]

In November, we will be reading Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

Please post your comments and questions in this thread.

[Nikhar]

Well.. I gave it four stars. I was tempted to give it five but then I think despite it being awesum, it wasn't awesummm as I had expected, if you know what I mean.

[katelbach]

Read about 5 pages. It's ace. Thank you!

[katelbach]

Finished it in super quick time. Got less funny as it went on but some real gems in there. Difficult to rate it as a novel as it's more like part of a serialised story (something i didn't realise pre-reading) - as i neared the end i realised it must've been written that way as not much had happened and it didn't feel very rounded as a whole, if you know what i mean. Bit disappointed by that tbh as i felt the book could have had greater definition as a single work rather than having to rely on the sequels, which are also apparently not as good. It's not like we are left with a cliffhanger either, though i'm probably missing the point, as bloody usual.

I preferred the start of the novel which was very British and there seemed an almost complete disregard for any kind of plot! I would have liked there to have been more scenes like those with the demolition guys and in the pub etc. rather than those on the ship and the planet, which seemed rushed and quite unexplored as settings. That said, Adams achieves great characterisation with very little effort (for the main characters at least), which is usually what keeps me interested. Sure i would never have gotten round to reading this if it hadn't been chosen here, but I will happily read the other 3 in the trilogy.

[loki456]

this book is unbelievable, read it back in grade 10 and still am quoting lines from it. It is definitely a personal like or dislike, depending on tastes. But I can tell you, I laughed so hard, it was pure brilliance or purely marijuana inspired. Good choice for a november read.

[Delta40]

I think it should have 42 stars

[Nikhar]

Finished it in super quick time. Got less funny as it went on but some real gems in there. Difficult to rate it as a novel as it's more like part of a serialised story (something i didn't realise pre-reading) - as i neared the end i realised it must've been written that way as not much had happened and it didn't feel very rounded as a whole, if you know what i mean. Bit disappointed by that tbh as i felt the book could have had greater definition as a single work rather than having to rely on the sequels, which are also apparently not as good. It's not like we are left with a cliffhanger either, though i'm probably missing the point, as bloody usual.

I preferred the start of the novel which was very British and there seemed an almost complete disregard for any kind of plot! I would have liked there to have been more scenes like those with the demolition guys and in the pub etc. rather than those on the ship and the planet, which seemed rushed and quite unexplored as settings. That said, Adams achieves great characterisation with very little effort (for the main characters at least), which is usually what keeps me interested. Sure i would never have gotten round to reading this if it hadn't been chosen here, but I will happily read the other 3 in the trilogy.

I don't think i could have expressed my feelings any better. Scarily similar to what I felt. I hope we aren't long lost twins with telepathy connections.

I was laughing insanely when it began but the laughs began to come less frequently. Also, I was disappointed by the fact that the book did not have any plot at all. The Restaurant At the End of the Universe (the next in the pentalogy)is even wayward and bizarre.

Though I don't exactly know what is meant by 'very British'. But thats just my ignorance.

this book is unbelievable, read it back in grade 10 and still am quoting lines from it. It is definitely a personal like or dislike, depending on tastes. But I can tell you, I laughed so hard, it was pure brilliance or purely marijuana inspired. Good choice for a november read.

Its a compleet stress buster, no doubt.

I think it should have 42 stars

lol. Btw, do we ever get to know to question of the life, the universe and everything? I havent read mostly harmless yet. Okay, wait, dont tell me. I'll read and find out.

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I'd like to discuss something related to the series and not this book in particular.
I was actually scared while reading the series, specially the second part. Scared by the fact that the characters had actually no aim whatsoever. I really found the notion of life without any aim really terrifying.
What also frightened me was the mind-boggling technology. I did not understand quite a lot of it but the bit that I did really gave me the creeps. I really do not like the idea of science so advanced that can do things so improbable. Eating at the end of time, or sweeping away planets in fractions of a second... *shivers*.

However, the fact that we are maybe centuries or even millenias away from such improbable technology (until and unless of course we create an improbabiliy powered device earlier) is slightly comforting.

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Returning to the book, din't you find Marvin a complete sweetheart?

[Nikhar]

Wow so much for thousand pages of discussion

[billl]

I'd like to discuss something related to the series and not this book in particular.
I was actually scared while reading the series, specially the second part. Scared by the fact that the characters had actually no aim whatsoever. I really found the notion of life without any aim really terrifying.

This is a great point. I had never thought of it before, but the main characters in these books are very Seinfeld-ian. There really isn't anyone to look up to (but much ado about trivia, even amidst vast potentials: digital watches, Arthur's tea, meat that wants to be eaten, coolest-looking spaceship, etc.)

What also frightened me was the mind-boggling technology. I did not understand quite a lot of it but the bit that I did really gave me the creeps. I really do not like the idea of science so advanced that can do things so improbable. Eating at the end of time, or sweeping away planets in fractions of a second... *shivers*.

I read the book back in the 80's, and at the time (and at my age, I guess) it seemed like a comedy-delivery system, more than something to seriously ponder. It is odd that the characters were in no way admirable (although young readers anxious to have fun drinking a lot might find inspiration in them), but they said and did funny things. Similarly, the technology seemed to be there mostly to make some zany plot twist, or to make some funny comment about how ridiculous people are (e.g. how backward or unscientific we are, how we embrace 'cool' and well-marketed technology too eagerly, what ridiculous priorities we sometimes have, etc.).

BUT, the books do begin to take on more serious and disturbing tones, after a while, and your discomfort with some of the technology is probably similar to how I eventually found it unusual that such a wacky sci-fi treasure-trove of laughs started having sad and soul-stirring moments.

[Nikhar]

I read the book back in the 80's, and at the time (and at my age, I guess) it seemed like a comedy-delivery system, more than something to seriously ponder. It is odd that the characters were in no way admirable (although young readers anxious to have fun drinking a lot might find inspiration in them), but they said and did funny things. Similarly, the technology seemed to be there mostly to make some zany plot twist, or to make some funny comment about how ridiculous people are (e.g. how backward or unscientific we are, how we embrace 'cool' and well-marketed technology too eagerly, what ridiculous priorities we sometimes have, etc.).

BUT, the books do begin to take on more serious and disturbing tones, after a while, and your discomfort with some of the technology is probably similar to how I eventually found it unusual that such a wacky sci-fi treasure-trove of laughs started having sad and soul-stirring moments.

i was thinking that maybe i was overreacting but am glad to know that i am not the only one who felt something of the sort:-)

and while i am saying technology is scary, i am using my cell to make this post. Humans...

[kasie]

Nobody has mentioned that this book didn't start life as a book - I wonder if I am the only Forum menber who actually heard the original radio broadcasts?!

I think you were not meant to ponder too deeply over the niceties of the plot - laugh too long and you missed the next bit - it was quickfire stuff, broadcast in the early evening to entertain and help you relax as you unwound after coming home from work.

I do know what katelbach means about 'very British', I think - who else but the British would accept a 'hero' who goes off in a spaceship in his dressing gown?