The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Week 4

Welcome to the final discussion of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Did you enjoy reading this last section? It was not what I was expecting at all. I really thought we were going to get some sort of answer to the big Earth questions, but that didn't happen. I at least thought we would get a word answer, not just a number! What did you think when it was announced that the answer to everything was 42? 

I had trouble with this last section in general. I just couldn't wrap my mind around all of the things that were going on throughout. This world is just so different from our world that I couldn't picture so many things! I appreciated that so many improbable things were happening, but it's hard to keep track of completely improbable events and details. Did you feel that way? What section did you have the hardest time understanding? 

We find out that Earth was created as a supercomputer that will eventually answer the meaning of life questions. Since Earth was destroyed, the mice who ran Earth ask Arthur if they can buy his brain, hoping that his brain will help them answer the questions. They don't want to wait millions of years for another Earth to find the answer. Arthur, of course, doesn't want to give up his brain. It looks like all is lost, but the whole crew is able to escape. Did you notice that when Arthur would not give up his brain, the mice decided to make up a fake question that would provide the answer of 42? They decided to say that the Ultimate Question is "How many roads must a man walk down?" Not the fake question I would have come up with. 

At the end, we find out that Marvin the computer was responsible for the fact that the police starship didn't attack. He talked to them so much that they ended up killing themselves. I was not expecting that. 

In the end, they all settle in to the starship and head off to their next adventure. Was this a satisfying ending for you? Are you excited to read the next book in the series? 

If you enjoyed this book and would like to read similar titles, check out this list. Make sure to let me know if you check out anything on the list. 

Did you know that this book also had a video game adaptation? It wasn't a visual game like we would imagine now with graphics and game characters. It was a text-driven game. Read more about the game here, and if you're feeling brave, try out a web version of the game here. I could not get the hang of the game, but you might have better luck!

Before you go, check out this interview with Douglas Adams from 1990. Let me know in a Facebook comment what you think of the video!

I hope you'll join us again next month as we read A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley. Thanks for following along this month!