Life, the Universe and Everything (Word for Word) [Hardcover]

Douglas Adams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2002 | Series: Word for Word

In consequence of a number of stunning catastrophes Arthur Dent is surprised to find himself living in a hideously miserable cave on prehistoric earth. However, just as he thinks that things cannot possibly get any worse, they suddenly do. He discovers that the Galaxy is not only mind-bogglingly big and bewildering, but also that most of the things that happen in it are staggeringly unfair.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Wild satire . . . the feckless protagonist, Arthur Dent, is reminiscent of Vonnegut heroes.”—Chicago Tribune


“Adams is one of those rare treasures: an author who, one senses, has as much fun writing as one has reading.”—Arizona Daily Star



From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Join Arthur Dent, earthling, "jerk", kneebiter and time-traveler; sexy space cadet Trillian; mad alien Ford Prefect; unflappable Slartibartfast; two-headed, three-armed ex-head Honcho of the Universe Zaphod Beeblebrox... and learn to fly. Is it the end? With Douglas Adams it's always up in the air! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: BBC Word for Word (November 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0754075656
• ISBN-13: 978-0754075653
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,730,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Adams (1952-2001) was the much-loved author of the Hitchhiker's Guides, all of which have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The synthesized genius of Adams is here again, September 19, 2004

By 

Snake Fang (Sofia, Bulgaria) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life, the Universe and Everything (Hitchhiker's Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the third book from the famous 'trilogy' (actually consisting of five books) written by his high majesty - Mr. Douglas Adams. Quite an interesting read after all, with no similarities to other famous books. The writing style of Douglas Adams is something that has been (and surely will be) one of the most popular topics when people sit around the table. There are numerous famous citations from his books that act (and will surely act) like pieces of wisdom for rebellios generations. Here is one of my favourites: 'Sounds bad. With little more of luck I hope I will be drunk enough, so that I don't notice it.'

This book is somehow innovative from the previous two, mainly due to the fact that it has a plot and after finishing it you have a story in your head, unlike after reading previous two. Is this bad or good - everyone decides for himself. I like it. The story is about our guys Ford Prefect, Arthur Dent, Zaphod Beeblebrox and the girl Trillian being lead on a mission by the old man Slartibartfast to save the Universe from being distinguished by the people of Krikkit who are as funny as well as every other character in the book (including the thunder god from the Scandinavian mythology - Thor). You will get an alternative look to the popular english sport game cricket after you finish the book.

There are a lot of funny tales that are not directly connected to the main story but add additional absurd humour that sometimes made me laugh histerically while reading. One of my favourite was about Zaphod getting drunk on his ship and Trillian leaving him, as well as the one about the poet Lallafa and his famous poems that after time travelling was discovered were used for marketing purposes and that changed the past so that these poems had never been written. And not to forget Wowbagger who insists on insulting every living creature personally.

I had great fun while reading this book and am quite enthusiastic to read the forth and fifth part of the 'trilogy'. Douglas Adams proved once again to me that he is unique and his stories are unpredictable.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 42!, May 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Life, the Universe and Everything (Hitchhiker's Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have no idea why no one seems to give this book good reviews! It is uber funny, just as much as the first two. I liked the exclusive terms for the actions of matresses and the whole Agrajag thing, which was honestly the funniest thing I have ever read! As for the Krikkit peoples, this line is one of Adam's most memorable, besides the number 42: "It's got to go." Also, I have established Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged as an all time favorite literary personality, because, well, seriously people, his dream is to insult the universe! Original. Personally, I don't see what all the fuss is about.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sore thumbs, March 11, 2005

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Life, the Universe and Everything (Hitchhiker's Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is my third hitchhiking trip, and although my thumb is getting sore, I have no choice but to keep on truckin'.

Coming from the larger part of the world, where "krikkit" is a national obsession, I found this one particularly clever, even though the aficionados will shudder at the abuse of the hallowed ashes.

Always willing to throw a stinging barb here and there, I also loved the immortal Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, who is on a quest to personally insult every individual being in the Universe - in alphabetical order.

Add in the flying lessons, the many-times-reincarnated Agrajag (not an Arthur Dent fan by any means), and of course my favorite robot Marvin, and you have an easy reading fun hike across the galaxy, with less of the sci-fi stuff, and more of the humor.

There's less Zaphod Beeblebrox than usual, but as he spends most of this story in a drunken stupor while Trillian flirts with the God of Thunder, we won't bother him at this particular time.

Sticking my sore thumb out now for the next adventure in hitchhiking - see you there!

Amanda Richards, March 12, 2005