The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a comedic science fiction novel by Douglas Adams, first published in 1979. The story begins with Arthur Dent, an ordinary man living in England, who discovers that his house is about to be demolished to make way for a new bypass. However, before he can even process this misfortune, he learns that Earth itself is set to be destroyed to make way for an intergalactic highway. Arthur’s life is turned upside down as he is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, who reveals himself to be an alien and a researcher for a wildly popular electronic book titled The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Ford takes Arthur on an adventure in deep space, just moments before Earth is obliterated. They hitch a ride on a spaceship called the Heart of Gold, which is powered by a revolutionary propulsion system known as the Infinite Improbability Drive. Onboard the ship, they meet a series of eccentric characters, including:
- Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed, and wildly irresponsible ex-President of the Galaxy, who is on a quest to find the mythical planet Magrathea, where luxury planets were once built for the ultra-rich.
- Trillian, the only other human survivor of Earth’s destruction, who is a brilliant astrophysicist and Zaphod’s companion.
- Marvin, a depressed and sarcastic robot with a “brain the size of a planet” but nothing to do, whose dark humor provides a comic contrast to the absurdity of the events unfolding.
As the group travels through space, Arthur learns more about the bizarre and often nonsensical universe in which he now finds himself. The journey is filled with absurd encounters and strange phenomena, such as the discovery of the ultimate question to life, the universe, and everything—only to learn that the answer is “42,” a cryptic answer provided by an ancient supercomputer named Deep Thought. The problem, however, is that no one knows what the actual question is.
Through a series of increasingly ridiculous events, Arthur and his companions travel to various locations, including the ruins of Magrathea and the headquarters of the Hitchhiker’s Guide, encountering a range of odd characters and dangerous situations. Despite the chaos, Arthur struggles to find meaning in the vast and confusing universe, often contemplating the randomness and absurdity of life.
Ultimately, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a humorous exploration of life, the universe, and everything, filled with satirical commentary on bureaucracy, technology, and human nature. Its quirky characters, absurd plot twists, and philosophical musings on existence make it a beloved work of science fiction, known for its wit and playful absurdity.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the first book in a series of five (sometimes referred to as a « trilogy in five parts »), which expands on the adventures of Arthur Dent and his oddball companions in space. The novel is famous for its clever dialogue, absurd situations, and deep yet comedic exploration of existential questions. It has become a cultural touchstone, influencing science fiction and humor literature, as well as being adapted into radio plays, TV series, films, and stage productions. The book remains a classic of modern science fiction and a masterclass in the art of absurdist comedy.