“The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams – A Collection of Classics

At this point, most of us have read, seen, or at least heard about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a novel which famously put forth the number 42 as being the answer to life and everything.

Those of you who know the above only as an animated movie will probably be surprised to know that it is the first entry in a series of classic novels, with there being plenty of other storylines to explore in that world.

The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams with an introduction written by Neil Gaiman, compiles five stories from the Hitchhiker world, bringing them to us in their pure and unaltered form. Here’s a brief look at the stories included within.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

As was expected, this is the first entry in this book, and for those who do not know what the story is about, it follows the adventures of a young man by the name of Arthur Dent who barely escapes Earth mere seconds before it gets demolished to make place for a space highway. The man to thank for the rescue is Ford Perfect, a researcher who came up with “The Guide”, and so they embark on an a long intergalactic adventure together to complete said “Guide”.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

In this story, Arthur Dent and his friends spend their journey looking for a place to eat in the galaxy, despite being faced with the prospect of being annihilated by a bunch of intergalactic warriors. As it seems, tea waits for no one.

Life, the Universe and Everything

This time around, the story centers on the inhabitants of the planet Krikkit, who, becoming tired from looking at the night sky, decide to destroy it, placing the entire universe under the threat of Armageddon… one only Arthur and his crew can prevent.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

With eight years having passed, Arthur is finally back on Earth, wishing his adventures were nothing but the product of an imaginative, and possible insane mind. However, one day he receives a fish bowl and a mysterious inscription, plunging him back into the world he sought to avoid.

Mostly Harmless

The final story in this collection follows once again Arthur Dent’s adventures. In this tale, just as our protagonist begins to enjoy life again, it seems as if Hell has come to Earth as an alien race is attempting to take over humanity, or more precisely, obliterate it.

If you’re a fan of science-fiction novels, or perhaps you would like to revisit some of your younger years, then I highly suggest you get the collection. It contains some of the most memorable Douglas Adams stories to ever be written, and they haven’t been changed one bit.

In addition, various explanations and notes by Adams were also included, providing some valuable insight into the great mysteries of the Hitchhiker world.

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Douglas Noel Adams (11 March 1952 – 11 May 2001) Personal site Born on the 11th of March 1952, Douglas Adams has made a name for himself in the literary community as being one of the most original and inspiring writers in the science-fiction genre, penning numerous timeless classics, including The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.