SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I have never read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy before, but I know a ton of my friends have. Is this a good book for a 14-year-old?

I think it's a good book for just about anyone. It's hilarious. I certainly would have (and probably did) let my sons read it at fourteen.

Margaret wrote: "I think it's a good book for just about anyone. It's hilarious. I certainly would have (and probably did) let my sons read it at fourteen."

Thanks Margaret. That's what I'm looking for. Now to get him to actually read it... :)

Heh. I don't suppose you could get him hooked on a recording of the original radio shows, which is what snared me...

I agree with Margaret. Guide is great for everyone. In fact, I think the absurd humor is particularly OK for 14-year-olds.

I think that was how old I was when I read it for the first time. My dad was the one who recommended it (he loves the series).

I was ten when I first read the book as it was my first science fiction book, so I think it would be fine for a 14 year old.

I'm pretty sure I was fourteen (or somewhere thereabouts) when I read it for the first time.

Fun Fact: the copy I picked up (probably used) was missing the first thirty pages or so. I somehow convinced myself that it was intentional, and just part of the overall weirdness.

I wasn't always the smartest teenager.

Like many, I was in that age range when I first read the series and I'm pretty sure it didn't hurt me :) My 13-yr old daughter read it a few months ago and loved it; she actually has bonded with her social studies teacher over their mutual appreciation for Marvin.

Peggy wrote: "I'm pretty sure I was fourteen (or somewhere thereabouts) when I read it for the first time.

Fun Fact: the copy I picked up (probably used) was missing the first thirty pages or so. I somehow c..."

Ha! That would be like Adams.

Just a couple of things to be aware of.

1. Some of Mr. Adams' humor when it comes to God has a level of irreverence, but I think that's not surprising at all if you have experienced dry, British humor (a la Monty Python). Nothing sacrilegious, but certainly very informal.
2. The only sexual subject matter I can recall has to do with a "triple-breasted whore", but the character's title alone is as graphic as it gets.

I would let my son read it (13 years old), but just wanted to point out any gray areas and let you decide.

Hope this helps!

Definitely. There is a tiny bit of sexuality in the fourth book, but it's less than you would find on a prime time television show. The series is quite brilliant, and was very much dumbed down for the movie.

Peggy wrote: "Fun Fact: the copy I picked up (probably used) was missing the first thirty pages or so. I somehow c..."

LOL - the funny thing is, I could totally see how you could do that with this particular book! I think I was about 14 too when I first read it, and yes, it's probably ok for kids to read it, esp. if they get dry humour and sarcasm.

I got hooked when I overheard a friend-of-the-family playing the radio series will I was 11. I still remember what caught my ear - "An Ode to a Small Lump of Green Putty I Found I My Armpit One Midsummer's Morning." Show me a 14 year old who doesn't think that's worth exploring more and I'll show you a very sour creature indeed.

Regarding Adams' take on religion, I'm surprised it's not considered sacrilegious. As a self-identified 'radical atheist,' I'd be surprised if Adams was trying to beat around the bush about how utterly ridiculous he thought the idea of God was. In this case I think humour wasn't a way of softening the blow, but more as a tool to completely deconstruct the institution.

I definitely recommend it for a teen. The violence and sex are practically non-existent and it's really tame but extremely witty. I would even suggest it for a particularly sharp twelve year old!

I'm pretty sure all my three daughters read the book, the youngest before she was fourteen. I'd have no problems with a fourteen year old reading it

I read this book when I was 12 and loved it. There's nothing inappropriate in it - all witty, clever British humor.

I was 11 or so when I read the books and really loved them. I agree with others here; 14 is definitely not too young!

Thank you all for the continued input and advice. Now that my son is out of school I'm going to have him start this book tomorrow.

Thanks @Travis for pointing out that there are aspects that are possibly irreverent to God, as well as to @Mei-Ling (who is friend of mine) for stating your opinion that the book is actually sacrilegious and deconstructs the institution of church.

My son and I are both radical and catholic, however we're not radical catholics, so we will go into this with an open mind and it is at least nice to know that if our creed is in fact deconstructed with the story it is done in a way that some find humorous. :)