BDCHS Advanced Reading discussion

I gave “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams a 4 out of 5. I think this book deserves this rating because it was a very well written book that put a comical spin on the universe. This novel also gave some perspectives on what other intelligent beings would see earth as.

This book takes place in many places throughout the Universe with earth being one of them. Other than that, they go through many spaceships and planets. Characters in the novel include the main character 30 year old Arthur Dent A.K.A Earthman, Ford, and Ford’s Cousin Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillian as well as many other minor characters. This story starts on earth in the 1970’s with Arthur in his house, before he realizes it’s about to be destroyed by the city in order to build a freeway. Later he discovers what is going on and he lies in front of the bulldozer; in order to stop them. Not only does Arthur get his day ruined by this he also gets told by his friend Ford Perfect about a huge problem, that earth is soon to be destroyed. As a solution to this problem, Ford discusses the logistics to leaving Earth alive. He then later discovers that his “friend” Ford Perfect was just an alien stuck on earth for more decade. To add Arthur’s confusion, Ford continues to tell him that everything he knew was wrong. Right before the earth is about to be destroyed by the Vogons (an alien race) they board a Vogan ship. While their Hitchhiker journey has just begun so Ford discusses the basics of what he does. One of these topics include Vogans, Ford tells Arthur how they are “one of the most unpleasant races in the galaxy—not actually evil, but bad-tempered, bureaucratic, officious and callous”. Eventually, they get caught by the Vogans, and they throw them into the void of the lifeless space. With 30 seconds to live and a 22,079,460,347 to one chance of getting picked up in this time, they got picked up by a ship called “The Heart of Gold”. When they are picked up Arthur is introduced to 2 new characters Zaphod’s companion Trillian, and a depressed, and extremely intelligent robot, named Marvin. This new group gets acquainted with each other, while Zaphod explains what he is searching for. The great Magrathea a legendary long lost planet that is told to be a tale. But against all odds, in the “Heart of Gold” they found Magrathea, Right were Zaphod calculated it would be. To add more to the recent events, the long dead planet Magrathea shoots defense heat seeking missiles at their ship. After surviving this onslaught of missiles, they land on Magrathea. When they landed, they spotted a crater, and at the bottom was a tunnel. Zaphod and his companion went to explore with Ford, while Arthur and Marvin stayed to keep guard. In their visit to Magrathea Arthur learns that Earth was just a Super-Computer made to solve the question of life, the universe and everything. Unfortunately this plan was cut 5 minutes short when the Earth was destroyed by Vogons. In order to repeat this process of creating another Earth, The Mice who created Earth require an inhabitant of Earths brain. So naturally Arthur declines this deal and they all escape Magrathea. On their way away from Magrathea they stop at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Some of the many themes of this Novel include, we are not alone, The Absurdity of our lives, Loss, Art and Culture change. These are some of the major themes of this absurd, but very interesting and comical Book.

I also learned a lot from this book, including how vast and amazing the Universe is. This book gives a comical and absurd perspective. For example in this book, Earth was a Super-Computer created by Mice, which are a highly intelligent species, along with dolphins. Another thing I learned from this book, is how likely it is that we, as humans are not the only species in the Universe- because of the vastness. On the other hand, I really enjoyed this Novel, because of how interesting and comical it was. Overall this story was an interesting, comical, absurd, and enjoyable story.