Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Hitchhiker, Bk 1
Author: Douglas Adams
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780345391803
ISBN-10: 0345391802
Publication Date: 9/27/1995
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 707

4.1 stars, based on 707 ratings
Publisher: Del Rey
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

58 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Family avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
If you like British humor, you will love this book.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
NOTE: This edition contains a 92-page bonus section on the making of the movie!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I just don't get the hype. Hard to follow. No real logical story line. If you like Monty Python, you will like this book.
pibblegrl avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 64 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved it!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 56 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Sci-fi awesome; I am not a sci-fi fan, but this was a page-turner
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 813 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I gave this book five stars. Just kidding! Check this out! If you take Spaceballs, Monsters versus Aliens, Player Piano, and Catch 22, throw them into a blender and purée, you might just end up with this book. This wacky look at intergalactic space travel, zany situations, and preposterous characters permeates the ephemeral, volatile fabric of this convoluted, sometimes witty, often disjointed fabrication. Still its mostly harmless. Like the guy who fell asleep in class and was prodded by his neighbor with the answer to the teachers question about transendentalism; who jumped up and yelled 42; youll discover the answer to life, the universe and everything.

The improbability that someone would write this book is two to the power twenty-five thousand to one against and falling.
The improbability that someone would publish it is two to the power fifty thousand to one against and falling.
The improbability that someone would buy it is two to the power seventy-five thousand to one against and falling.
The improbability that someone would actually read it is two to the power one hundred thousand to one against and falling.
The improbability that a reviewer would place it on a must read list is two to the power of infinity minus one to one against and falling.
mickeygirl74 avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I laughed at this book. I didn't think I was going to like it, but now I have to read the rest of the series!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
One of my absolute favorite books of all time. Piercing wit and goofiness that will appeal to all ages, Douglas Adams' work breaks out of the sci-fi category as a great book... period!
runa avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
great for teens & sci-fi fans
c-squared avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 181 more book reviews
So tongue-in-cheek funny!
Tonksy avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
If you haven't read this then you have not been indoctrined into sci-fi culture and you should be ashamed of yourself.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 146 more book reviews
I did not appreciate this book the first time I read it over 20 years ago. I am gald that I re-read it. The story is wonderfully written and it shows how much insight Douglas Adams had. I am thinking of starting the second book in this series very soon.
Boudica avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
Don't EVER forget your towel! I loved reading this book and had to share it.
alliepoetesswitch avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 141 more book reviews
This story was excellent! I read it in 2 sittings and it was a fast read. Watch the movie for fun afterwards or before. Their both great in this case.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
the delightfully quirky first book of adams' "trilogy of five". zany science-fiction, a must-read.
daedelys avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 1218 more book reviews
I thought that this book was amusing, but even though Ive read that others compare it to Terry Pratchetts humor, I cant say that it was as enjoyable. It definitely has the dry humor that is fun, but its not on my greatest list of reads. However, it is interesting enough for me to continue reading the series because I did like the movie. I guess I was just expecting the book to be a lot better than the film was.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
Seconds before Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for "The Hitcher's Guide to the Galaxy". Together, they journey through space with a galaxyful of colorful companions.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
Did not finish (DFN), but a lot of people did! Not one for comedy and Sci Fi mixing.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
Original with funny ideas.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Silly but very engaging to see what it would come up with next. Loved the whole series.
islewalker avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
This was relatively well written if you like an extended allegory. I tire almost immediately of the outrageously made-up names of planets, people.
bast3 avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 44 more book reviews
Just love this series!
DolliT avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Wonderfully, bizarre story with many subplots! It is definately a laugh out loud read!!!
sherbertbones avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
First time I ever laughed while reading. Great, great book.

BTW, I wrote my name in Sharpie on the top of the book.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 121 more book reviews
Just as good as the movie.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 73 more book reviews
Loved it! The movie is coming out soon.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Entertaining, fun reading!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Humerous story of a trip across the galexy after the escape of the destruction of Earth. Characters are simple and overcome many strange obstacles
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
The book is very funny, although a bit hard to follow at times.
Janet avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
This edition has a 92-page bonus section on the making of the movie.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
Good read. Very funny.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Don't Panic! This book was hilarious even before the movie came out.
jdocop avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 66 more book reviews
Tried to read it....boring....silly
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
Classic Douglas Adams. If you don't laugh, you're brain dead.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
I personally think everyone should read this book. It will keep you laughing!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 63 more book reviews
So much better than the movie!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
This is a must read for any sci-fi nut. In fact, get the whole series while you're at it.
Mel avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 186 more book reviews
This book was enjoyable. I found it very funny almost to the point of silliness. I just finished it and I still don't understand it.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
The modern classic! Zany and fun with a tongue firmly in cheek.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Don't go anywhere without the guide! The first book in the outer space adventures of English everyman Arthur Dent. Includes A 92-page afterword on the making of the movie with a essay by the screenwriter and interviews with the actors who brought Douglas Adams' quirky characters to life.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Outstanding novel. If you love comedy, sci-fi, or just a great, quick read, then get this book.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
You can't get much better comedy than the hitchhiker's books. Great read!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
slow read - hated the movie, never could get back into the book
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Sci-fi. There was a movie made from this series recently. I never read this as this is not my genre of choice (it was a gift to me).
sealady avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 657 more book reviews
Amazon.com
Join Douglas Adams's hapless hero Arthur Dent as he travels the galaxy with his intrepid pal Ford Prefect, getting into horrible messes and generally wreaking hilarious havoc. Dent is grabbed from Earth moments before a cosmic construction team obliterates the planet to build a freeway. You'll never read funnier science fiction; Adams is a master of intelligent satire, barbed wit, and comedic dialogue. The Hitchhiker's Guide is rich in comedic detail and thought-provoking situations and stands up to multiple reads. Required reading for science fiction fans, this book (and its follow-ups) is also sure to please fans of Monty Python, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, and British sitcoms.

Review
Don't panic! Here are words of praise for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!

"It's science fiction and it's extremely funny...inspired lunacy that leaves hardly a science fiction cliche alive."

Washington Post

"The feckless protagonist, Arthur Dent, is reminiscent of Vonnegut heroes, and his travels afford a wild satire of present institutions."

Chicago Tribune

"Very simply, the book is one of the funniest SF spoofs ever written, with hyperbolic ideas folding in on themselves."

School Library Journal

"As parody, it's marvelous: It contains just about every science fiction cliche you can think of. As humor, it's, well, hysterical."
daedelys avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 1218 more book reviews
I thought that this book was amusing, but even though Ive read that others compare it to Terry Pratchetts humor, I cant say that it was as enjoyable. It definitely has the dry humor that is fun, but its not on my greatest list of reads. However, it is interesting enough for me to continue reading the series because I did like the movie. I guess I was just expecting the book to be a lot better than the film was.
breanna-losey avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
This book was very funny and made intense imagery, but the movie was just a flop and dishonored the book.
perryfran avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 1229 more book reviews
Okay, I was pretty much underwhelmed by this. This is another book on the 1001 books you must read before you die list that I didn't feel deserved much praise although others think very highly of this book. Maybe I need to read the rest of the series by Adams but based on this one, I think I'll pass. Well, the book did have some pretty interesting tongue-in-cheek humor and it satirized pretty much everything from politics to bad poetry to pulp science fiction. But overall, I didn't really get the fascination with this book about Earth being destroyed and one earthling, Arthur Dent, being saved by his extra-terrestrial friend, Ford Perfect with the two of them being thrown through the universe as hitchhikers on a couple of intergalactic space ships. Ford's job was to gather information for a new edition of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe which is an electronic travel book giving information on everything in the universe. We do learn how and where planets are made and also find out that man is only the third most intelligent being on Earth after dolphins and a surprising other life form...

Anyway, I doubt if I will be reading others in this series. It was just a little too far out there for my taste.
eadieburke avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 1643 more book reviews
I'm sure glad that this is not the only genre there is to read otherwise, I would have to give up reading. I think I just don't get it! Glad I listened to the audio because if I had to read it I would never get through it. Enough said, I'm moving on!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
It might get entertaining, but I wasn't interested after the 1st chapter. Written very simply without much description.
doctorslime avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 241 more book reviews
Funny funky off beat.
ramsfanray avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
If you have ever thought, "I want to read something totally different from anything I have ever read before, this book is for you." It's weird, quirky, and off-the-wall, but you won't be able to put it down.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
I must not be a big enough nerd or something, cause I just could not get into this book.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
excellent
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
this book sucks
bookwormhouse avatar reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
I know this book has been heralded as hilarious, but I just couldn't get into it. Halfway through, I just had to stop the agony and post it.
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on
Great! Can't wait to read the rest!
reviewed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
Not my favorite.