The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy is a book that likely needs little introduction. Douglas Adams’ extremely popular absurdist and surreal sci fi (if not sci fantasy) series begins with Arthur Dent being whisked away from earth on one improbable adventure after another. The movie is a surprisingly faithful adaptation to the book, although per the usual idiom ‘The Book Was Better’.
““I like the cover,” he said. “Don’t Panic. It’s the first helpful or intelligible thing anybody’s said to me all day.””
I am not particularly fond of absurdism or surrealism. It may be a failure of imagination on my part, but I’ve always found it a little bit too odd for my liking. The frank, dry British humor is right up my alley, making The Hitchhiker’s Guide an enjoyable book but not likely one I’m going to end up rereading in the future. Admittedly, there is enough endearing about the movie (including Alan Rickman’s performance) that I would prefer to spend the time watching the movie than the additional hours dedicated to reading the book again. That said, I am eagerly awaiting listening to the rest of the series when I’m in the mood for something lightheartedly absurd.
3/5 stars
L.J.
“Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”
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