The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was originally a BBC radio broadcast1. It combines comedy and science fiction. It is the first novel in a series of five books and was published in 1979. The name of the novel refers to the electronic travel guide mentioned in the novel. Douglas Adams was the creator of the series which sold millions of books and let to numerous adaptions in TV and on stage.
Characters: Arthur Dent is from England and lives a normal life on Earth with his friend Ford. Ford Prefect is an alien from a planet called Betelgeuse. He got stuck on Earth for 15 years as a researcher for an updated version of ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’.
Setting: The story is set in a fictitious universe, where Earth is just another planet in the galaxy. The novel is set on Earth, as well as in space, inside a space ship and also on the planet Magrathea.
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Language: Douglas Adams uses uncommon and rarely used words to differentiate how aliens talk, especially for phrases from the guide. The language used supports the novels comedic approach and helps setting the scene for the science fiction theme.
Plot: In the beginning of the novel a demolition crew wants to demolish Arthur’s house. Arthurs best friend, Ford prevents this incident, and they both head to the bar to grab a drink. During this, a space ship arrives above Earth and announces that the Earth will be destroyed.
Just seconds before the planet is destroyed, the two friends get picked up by the space ship. Soon after they get thrown out of an airlock, and then rescued by Zaphod Beeblebrox, the President of the Galaxy and Fords cousin. He stole a space ship called the ‘Heart of Gold’ and travels with a woman from Earth named Trillian and a depressed