Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

By Douglas Adams (1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1992)

Let me begin by clarifying that this is in fact a five book series, the version being reviewed was a combined volume of all stories (in order): Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Life, the Universe and Everything, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish, and Mostly Harmless.

Douglas Adams' saga begins on an ordinary earth day but quickly leaves all of our earthly reality behind, sending Arthur Dent whirling through the eddies of space on an adventure that you could only imagine being inspired by a dream (one such dream that you would have after consuming a lot of chocolate right before bed). Needless to say, you have to suspend your view of reality to fully engage in the story but it is delightful once you reach that state. The first book is the best one of the saga, with the story dragging along somewhere in the last three books. However, there are gems to be found in any book, from watching Arthur fall in love, to watching him wake up in a cave at the beginning of the world.

I recommend this book for anyone who has watched the movie and enjoyed it (and also because I think you should read the book of any movie you see that was a book first). It will be enjoyed by those who enjoy the slightly bizzare and the otherworld adventures.

If this book was a food, it would be a jumbleberry pie served with a side of hashbrowns and a glass of lemon tea.  Not quite what you are expecting, with some bits that don't quite agree with your stomach, but still enjoyable in a slightly odd way.