The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Title- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Author- Douglas Adams

ISBN -1400052920

Publication Information- Harmony, 2005 (25^th anniversary edition)

 

Plot Summary- Our story begins with a frustrated Arthur Dent lying in front of his house to keep it from being bulldozed to make way for a new freeway bypass. His friend Ford Prefect urgently tells him that he is from another planet and they must leave immediately because the Earth is about to be destroyed by the Vogons, an alien race, in order to construct hyperspace bypass. They leave just before the world explodes and find themselves on one of the Vogon ships. However, they are discovered and forced off the ship being miraculously saved from instant death by the Heart of Gold, a ship stolen by Zaphod Beeblebrox. Over the course of a most improbable adventure, Arthur discovers that the Earth was actually a super computer designed to find the question that would give meaning to the answer the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, but was destroyed minutes before its computations were complete. The beings in charge of the computer/earth wanted to dissect Arthur's brain for remnants to the computer of which he was part. Arthur, of course, takes exception to this idea.

 

Critical Evaluation- This incredibly bizarre tale has been a cult classic among teenagers since its initial BBC radio series in the late 1970s. The novel is equally popular even today. It is part of a "trilogy in five parts." The novel itself drops off suddenly as they characters decide to travel to the restaurant at the end of the universe, which is aptly the title of the second book. The characters are unique and the whole series is a fun alternative to the Star Wars and Star Trek worlds that take themselves so seriously. Arthur is constantly trying to figure out what is going on as he is drug around by Ford. Ford is the keeper of the guide itself. The secondary characters are a riot, particularly Marvin the depressed robot who is constantly discussing suicide but still saves the main characters. Personally, I prefer my science fiction to be a little more serious, but if one is looking for a light read unlike anything they have ever seen, then this is the ideal book to pick up.

 

Reader's Annotation- Looking for the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything? Look no further than The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

 

Author Information- Douglas Adams led a tragically short life. He died of a heart attack at the age of 49. He was not a prolific writer by any means. He told his editor that he loved the sound of a deadline as it rushed by his head. At one point, he was locked in a hotel for three weeks in order to finish a book. Nevertheless, he completed various forms of HG2tG, radio script, novel, comic book, and screenplay, the other four installments of the story, and a separate set of novels called the Dirk Gently series. He was a staunch atheist, animal activist, and technology geek of the highest order.

Curricular Ties- none

Genre- Science Fiction

Book talking ideas- How is Adams use of animals important in this novel? How helpful is the guide to any of the characters?

Challenge issues- religious objections

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 15-adult

Why I selected this piece- I chose this because it is still a book I have to buy every year for my shelf. It walks off every year after several students have read it and loved it.