Annotations - Science Fiction

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

By: Douglas Adams

Genre: Science Fiction

Publication Date: September 02, 1989 (first published in 1979)

Number of Pages: 224

Geographical Setting: Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, Magrathea

Time Period: Future

Series: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Book One

Plot Summary: Planet Earth is about to be demolished to make way for the new galactic freeway when Arthur Dent is saved by his friend Ford Prefect. The two end up on a ship full of members from the alien race Vogon who force them to listen to terrible poetry before dumping them into space. The two are rescued from impending doom by the Heart of Gold, a ship owned by the President of the Galaxy, Zaphod. Arthur and Ford join Zaprod, a depressed robot named Marvin, and a woman called Trillian as they travel across the galaxy to the planet Magrathea and a giant computer named Deep Throat who reveals the ultimate answer to everything.

Subject Headings: Prefect, Ford; Dent, Arthur (Fictitious Character)

Appeal: This humorous work of science fiction will appeal to anyone who enjoy quirky tales set in the future. The colorful characters and the trouble they encounter will have readers eager to read the further adventure of this motley crew.

Read-alikes:

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin - Dreams really can change the world in this disturbing and thought provoking work of science fiction.

The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W.E. Bowman - Hijinks and hilarity ensue when a group of mountain climbers wage war on the neighboring Mount Rum Doodle in this humorous adventure story.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick - This thought provoking, dystopian tale set on a future Earth showcases a battle between android robots and those who banished them from the planet.