DOUGLAS ADAMS
1 Nobody Writes Jokes in Base 13
Written by Douglas Adams, "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" was first published in 1980 and is the second instalment of his legendary five-part "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" trilogy. It starts within a matter of hours of where "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" finished so - at the risk of stating the obvious - is entirely the wrong place to start !! The series started life as a radio show, before becoming a book, a television series, a play and a bath towel. Douglas Adams was born in Cambridge in 1952 and died in May 2001 in California.
The Earth has been destroyed, officially to make way for a hyperspace bypass, and only two humans - Arthur Dent and Tricia McMillan - have survived. Arthur was rescued by an old friend called Ford Prefect - a roving reporter for "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", a sort of interstellar Rough Guide. The pair managed to escape the demolition of Earth by sneaking on-board the Vogon ship in charge of its destruction. Arthur and Ford are later picked up by Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed, renegade ex-President of the Galaxy and an old school-friend of Ford's. Beeblebrox's spaceship, "The Heart of Gold", is the most powerful and unpredictable ship in the universe. Its crew is completed by Marvin, a paranoid android, and Trillian - as Tricia is now known - she'd met Zaphod at a party some months previously.
At the end of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", Zaphod had decided to visit Milliways, the restaurant at the end of the universe. However, following an argument with the ship's computer, he has to calculate the improbability factor the need to actually get there himself. Unfortunately, the Vogon ship that destroyed Earth is approaching the "Heart of Gold" with a view to killing the planet's last surviving ex-residents. With the computer frozen, trying to understand how to make a cup of tea for Arthur, there is no apparent escape. The only possible option is to hold a sˇance, so Zaphod can ask his deceased great-grandfather for help. That help involves a trip to Ursa Minor Beta, home to a certain hugely popular guide book, and Frogstar B, the most evil world in the galaxy and home to the Total Perspective Vortex.
Like "Hitchhiker's...", this is an extremely silly and very easily-read book. However, although there's more of a point to what the characters get up to in this instalment, I'd still recommend reading "Hitchhiker's..." first. Hugely enjoyable and highly recommended.
2 There is something for every taste in this Restaurant's menu
It is a waste of time trying to read "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" without having read "The Hitchhiker Guide's to The Galaxy". The second novel is a sequel whose understanding and appreciation totally depend on understanding the first book. And those who didn't like the previous book are very likely to not like this one as well.
Douglas Adams is back with his witty sense of humor and unstoppable imagination. "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" picks up from where "The Hitchhiker Guide's to The Galaxy" finished. But before the four humans and the robot reach the title's restaurant there is much weird adventure to come.
Those readers who enjoyed the first book have much more here to be delighted. To begin with, besides the sense of humor, Adams has injected much more adventure in this second installment. There is much more to gasp for than to laugh at. But, as a matter of fact, it is not a problem, since the funny parts are really funny.
In this second step of "The Hitchhiker Guide's to The Galaxy" trilogy (consisted of five books!) Adams exploit deeper the personality, fears and anxiety of his characters. For the most part of the book, the most important character that is the center of the action is Zaphod. But Arthur, Ford, Trillian and the delightfully depressed Marvin are never forgotten. In the next chapters the narrative splits in two different poles with two groups of characters.
However little he appears, Marvin is still the best. His depressive pre-prozac behavior is one of the funniest things in the book. His interactions with other machines and human beings are unforgettable.
The book `ends' with a perfect hook for its sequel "Life, Universe and Everything". Adams has a knock for leaving you breathless and waiting for what will come next. One can only hope that he keeps up the level of funny ideas and unstoppable adventure.
3 Nearly as good as the first book.
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is Book Two in Douglas Adams' increasingly popular, yet inaccurately named "Hitchhiker's Trilogy" (Five novels, plus one short story). The main characters from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy have returned--Earthman Arthur Dent, Guide researcher Ford Prefect, former President of the Galaxy-turned-fugitive Zaphod Beeblebrox, Tricia "Trillian" McMillan and the terminally depressed Paranoid Android, Marvin. "Restaurant" is a fast-paced, hilarious read that is nearly as funny as its predecessor. A must read for science fiction fans as well as for anyone who just loves a good laugh or ten.
4 Makes me wonder why it took me so long to get to it!
Okay, so I'm a latecomer to this series. My brother actually sent me a copy of the first book, and I just couldn't get into it at the time. It just seemed foolish. Recently when I was in a silly frame of mind, I decided to try the series again, and purchased this book. I have to admit, it is remarkable. Some of the delightful comments by the narrator are truly apropos, particularly about those who want to govern and middle men. Although the book seems to ramble quite without direction or purpose, once you suspend any desire to force the text into a traditional mode of literature, you begin to see that there is direction and a distinct purpose.
Douglas Adams' style reminds me of a comparison made between G. G. Shaw and Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen looks at social problems and says "Oh dear, me, what's to be done?" Shaw looks at the same problems and says, "How silly, why do we do this?" Adams is more Shaw than Ibsen. As social commentary he has us laughing at ourselves through out the book.
For THOSE WRITING PAPERS in literature, social science, history and political science: What is Adams' saying about our culture? Do you think his criticisms are valid? Do you think there are reasonable solutions? Read other comedic writers on the world state; you might look at Greek and Roman play writes. Read a book whose express purpose is social criticism and compare the style with Adams'; you might look at Collapse by Jared Diamond. Which book is more effective commentary? Why? Which is clearer on solutions? Are there solutions?
5 How do you follow up a work of genius.....?
.... With more of the same.
While not so good as a stand alone (you'll be lost in time & space without the background of Book 1), this second in the umpteen-part, increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Trilogy tries even harder than the first to laser your funny bone.
Seems that the thing we call (ultimately to be used-to-call) Earth is really just a mighty big supercomputer, built to work out the ultimate question to the ultimate answer, 42. Like all expensive software however, just before it actually does whatever it's supposed to do, it crashes - in this case due to the hacker Vogons and their total annihilation programme. Unlike your regular hard drive, two bits escape to byte another day, and we continue their story.
In one of the many funny lines from the book, Zaphod Beeblebrox remarks, "I am so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis". This book is just as hip.
Our heroes are aboard their Improbability Driven spaceship, when Arthur Dent happens to tie up all the computer circuits just when the Vogons are launching an attack. Zaphod decides its time to see dead people, and with a strange twist, he and miserable Marvin, the depressed computer, disappear, while Arthur takes a tea break.
Zaphod materializes elsewhere and immediately starts looking for the man who rules the Universe, while Marvin continues to depress and be depressed. In my humble opinion, Marvin is the star of this book, but I digress.
After having his sense of perspective sorely tested, Zaphod improbably conjures a happy reunion, although this leaves him sadly out of pocket. Deciding that they should find the nearest place to eat, their ship's computer zaps them to Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.
From this half-way point, the book takes off on a fresh tangent of humor, floor shows, loud rock bands, talking meat, and wicked vehicles - that is, until the universe ends.
Then the humor starts all over again.
A very worthy follow up to the famous first.
Amanda Richards, March 7, 2005
6 Better than the first one.
Ok So like me you read the Hitchikers guide to the galaxy so you wont be lost when the movie hit's. Now your wondering whether its worth your time too read the second one too. Let me just say although i enjoyed the first book immensely this one was written far better. You can by no means read this first but the Idea's in this one are far more reaching. The character's Zaphod,and Marvin get their memorable moments. Sadly as with the first book Arthur Dent the seemingly main character of the series still deoesnt get fleshed out much.Also many loose ends dont get tied up But with the amount of good stuff in here,these are minor complaint's at best. This story read directly after the first would feel like one full book with an ending that seem's like at the time Adam's thought might be the end of the series. Be we all know better now dont we?
7 Another AWESOME book !
Arthur Dent is having a very bad day. The Earth has been blown up, he has been thrown from the airlock of an alien spaceship, and to top it all off he can't for the life of him get a decent cup of tea. Not to worry. A meal at Milliway's, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe should take his mind off all that. Restaurant, the second installment in acclaimed English author Douglas Adams' hilarious satirical romp through the stars, is the sequel to his immensely popular novel "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" follows the further adventures of Arthur, his savior and good friend Ford Prefect (originally from Betelgeuse, a fact until recently unknown to Arthur), the two-headed Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Marvin the manically depressed robot.
As our story continues, our heroes are still in search of the question to the ultimate answer of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Long ago, a great and ancient race built a supercomputer of astronomical proportions called Deep Thought. Its purpose: to find the answer to the ultimate question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. After millions of years of calculations, Deep Thought arrived at an answer that was entirely unlike anything its creators had anticipated. The problem, the computer explained, is that nobody had ever quite figured out what that question is.
And thus a new, organic computer was constructed to find that question. It's name: The Earth. In Restaurant we'll finally find out what that question is as Arthur and crew search for it. Along the way we'll feast with them at Milliway's, a restaurant constructed in a time envelope at the very twilight of the universe, where one can meet persons from all points in time and where talking cows suggest the best parts of their anatomy for your dining pleasure.
We'll also follow our protagonists back to the emergence of mankind on planet Earth, and learn some rather shocking facts about our origins. All the while, Adams' unique sense of humor will keep you constantly laughing out loud with lines like the following:
In the beginning, the universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and generally been regarded as a bad move.
With an opening like that, you know the book is going to be fun to read, and it is. In many respects Restaurant is even funnier than its predecessor, especially the scenes with Marvin, a robot with a "brain the size of a planet" as he puts it who despises the universe and everything in it.
Adams successfully satirizes the entire science fiction genre, in a way that can be appreciated by fans and non-fans alike. Indeed, his work is as much a parody of life itself as it is space battles and aliens. In many cases, he has just taken our daily experiences and lampooned them on a galactic scale. Its this that gives his works such broad appeal.
"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is only a few hundred pages long, and it's a quick read. In fact, you won't be able to put it down, and can easily polish it off in a night or two. Reading "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" is strongly recommended as a prerequisite. If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend "The Losers' Club" by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them. What's the point of reading a book that doesn't make you laugh, right?
8 Even better and deeper than the first book
This book continues where _The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy_ left off with Zaphod Beeblebrox's announcement that he was hungry and wanted to find the nearest place to eat. The computer was trying to make Earthling Arthur Dent a cup of tea as close to his specifications as possible. Unfortunately this process so tied up the computer's thought processes that it could do little else. Arthur, Ford Prefect, Beeblebrox and Trillian (a woman Earthling I neglected to mention in my review of _Hitchhiker_) and others decide to visit Milliways, a restaurant located in the same exact spot but millions of years into the future. While the crew is attempting to enjoy a savory repast, the masters of ceremonies of Milliways will be providing for their entertainment pleasure the exact moment the universe will end. Mind boggling, to say the least. Douglas Adams treats this impending event as akin to a New Year's celebration. In the interim, our crew discovers very strange but very prophetic goings-on, including thousands of frozen and seemingly dead bodies. Not only are they are not dead, but they prove later (or is it really more sooner?) to have an extremely important role to play. Ford Prefect also discovers a most unlikely ruler of the Universe who would rather play with his cat than be concerned with administering governmental policy. The ruler comes up with the interesting premise that those individuals most wanting power were probably the least competent to lead. Then there is Arthur's strange attempt to play scrabble with the natives of a mysterious world--on which they crash-land--in order to teach them language. There are so many witty moments in this wonderfully written and most profound book, nothing less than Ford Prefect's ongoing endeavor to find the question to the answer to the meaning of life.
9 As great as everything else Douglas has written. But still..
This is a review of the Restaurant At The End Of The Universe
(AUDIO CD rendition).
The Book is fantastic! Totally hilarious. A welcome sequel to
any first-time reader of HGTG. The CD set consists of five (5)
CDs, and the story is read by Douglas Adams (the author) himself.
For anyone not familiar with the voice of DA, his reading,
inflections, and ease in switching voices during dialog passages
adds greatly to the presentation. The CD does have some
'electronically-modified' voices (Marvin & the ship's computer,
for instance), but they're all Douglas Adams, and he makes
it quite difficult not to laugh out loud while listening.
It's also pretty hard not to consume the whole book at one
sitting.
My two complaints on this media presentation are that it is
simply a straight transfer to CD of Douglas Adams'
CASSETTE-TAPE recordings. They didnt even remove all of the
'End of Side' notations from the original. Imagine that
you're listening to the story, and in the *middle* of a
disc, you hear Douglas say "End of side TWO". Then the story
continues. I also have to mention my biggest
beef with this presentation (as with ALL of the CD renditions)
which is that each disc is comprised of only ONE track!
You cannot jump forward or backward by chapters. If you
cannot listen to an entire disc at one sitting (about an hour),
then you cannot resume midway if you happen to stop the disc.
In this regard, the cassette-tapes excel over the CD renditions.
Considering that Douglas was pretty-much a techno-hound, I think
he'd be pretty disgusted that his works were being stamped-out
in such a shoddy fashion.
All-in-all, the book is as good as, if not better than,
the HITCHHIKERS GUIDE. Adams fanatics will love it. It's a
book that demonstrates that DA was an accomplished wordsmith,
and that he spent considerable time and effort to add hundreds
of subtle cross-references between passages that cannot be
caught at first reading (listening). In this regard, you'll
find something new each time you consume this book.
10 Secong helping of classic series
"Restaurant" is the follow-up to the first one, and it doesn't disapoint. Hilarious bits like the universe's loudest band, and of course, the scene at the Restaurant is great. The ending is a bit ironic, but funny. You can quite tell that there was going to be a sequel. We still wonder at this point was the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything is though.(The next books tells us). Another great book that you'll laugh with.
11 A definate let down
After reading the first volume, I was looking forward to this one. What a disappointment! This book went around and around and ended up no where.
Save your money. If you enjoyed the first volume, be satisfied. That's as good as it gets.
12 absolutly histarical
this is a classic among comical books. it takes the series to a whole new level. I have read this book numourus times. This book is so funny its orgasmic. its a oerfect syphony of favore with a wonderful gravy. ORGASMIC
13 Adams does it again.
The late Douglas Adams had a keen eye for insight and an unrivaled wit, as can be seen by his ironic, satirical series "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is the second in the above named series and is similar to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the style of humor and writing, but dont worry, it is far from repetitive. REU continues the tales of earthman Arthur Dent (the standard satirical Brit), Betelgusian Ford Prefect (who is an immeadiatly annoying person), crazy ex-president of the galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox (who can be considered insane, criminal and annoyingly annoying), Trillian (the voice of reason) and the disgustingly depressed Marvin, the robot.
The second installment picks up right where the first left off, the company were heading to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe (which is indeed, at the very end of the universe, only minutes before its destruction).
Douglas Adams has the ability to briefly mention something in a book, and then, a book or two later, make a connection. That's why when reading a Douglas Adams book it is important to keep an eye out for details (like what a sperm whale thinks as it plummets through the sky to the ground) or you will miss much of Adams' trademark humor. But dont panic, such things will stand out in memory more then the blatantly funny moments.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is not for everyone. But if you like humor, droll wit and satires, or if you like science fiction (but not the serious kind), then this series is just for you.
Rest in peace, Douglas Adams.
14 Hilarious Sequel
Picking up right where "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" left off, Douglas Adams' "The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe" continues the hilarious intergalactic adventures of earthman Arthur Dent, his alien chum Ford Prefect, the two-headed freakazoid Zaphod Beeblebrox, earthwoman Trillian, and Marvin The Paranoid Android. When we last left this ragtag bunch, they were still on the run from the intergalactic authorities in their stolen souped-up spacecraft, The Heart Of Gold. Book 2 includes Zaphod's outrageous adventure to find the man who rules the Universe, a memorable stop at Milliways, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe, the gang's close shave with having their ship plunge into a sun (all part of a rock concert spectacle put on by the rock group Disaster Area), and finally, Ford & Arthur's adventure onboard an Ark ship manned by a clueless bunch from the planet Golgafrincham. Oh, a startling revelation will also be made, and The Ultimate Question to the Ultimate Answer of "Forty-Two" will also be revealed! (Well, sort of....). Once again, Adams' brilliantly clever wit & writing style shines through on every page, and the book, like it's predecessor, is a real gutbuster.If you have enjoyed the adventures of Arthur Dent & Ford Prefect & company so far, why stop now? Please go to Book 3 in Adams' marvelous sci-fi comedy series, "Life, The Universe, And Everything"....
15 This CD is a Hack
This is not a review of the material from the book or the author performance of it. Those are great.
The makers of this cd should be condemed. Not only are there no chapters, making it one long track on each disc, but there is a spot a few minutes into disc two where some audio is left from the tape version. It says "end of side two."
They made Hitchhikers discs with many tracks, did they become lazy. . . or cheap. . . or both. Damn irritating.
16 Great Story but a Step Down From the 1st in the "Trilogy"
When I was in elementary school, this was a common series read by the male nerds and geeks in my school. After reading it, I can now see how much it shaped their speech patterns and writing styles. I found myself smiling as clouds of nostalgia unexpectedly overtook me while reading the series. I was also surprised to find phrases original to this series that have worked their way into the American culture. For example, in order to understand people who speak other languages, the characters in this series simply put a "Babelfish" in their ear. In real life, Babel Fish is a language translation program available on the internet. Since the book it appears in was published in 1979, there's no question of which came first.
In THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, we found out that the earth was actually created as an organic supercomputer with the sole purpose of determining the answer to life, the universe and everything. Arthur Dent finds himself whisked away from the earth only moments before the earth is destroyed to make way for a intergalactic bypass highway. Unfortunately, this is right before the earth was to have computed the answer to the question. He and Ford (an alien that has been marooned on earth) hitch a ride on the unsuspecting spacecraft that has just caused the destruction of the earth. They continue their hitchhiking journey throughout the galaxy to a ship called the Heart of Gold (which is actually a stolen vehicle). There, they meet with a series of unlikely coincidences thanks to the ship's Infinite Improbability Drive.
THE RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE
The HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY ends as the Heart of Gold heads for a bite to eat at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Evidently this restaurant must be reached by traveling forward in time to the actual end of the universe. Every night, a big show is made of the big bang that ends the universe. Luckily, the restaurant is protected from the effects and can make a show of it night after night. The only disappointing thing is that Author Dent and his friends miss the show as they attempt to stow away and hitchhike yet another ride in entirely the wrong vehicle. To make a long story short, Arthur and Ford end up marooned on prehistoric earth with a bunch of cave men and some amazingly stupid people who have been exiled from their own planet. Could these idiotic hairdressers and phone sanitizers be our true ancestors? In this book, we also meet the man in charge of the universe. Strangely enough, he is a forgetful old hermit who spends most of his time in his shack talking to his cat and his table or pondering the use of a pencil.
This series is bizarre comic sarcasm at its best. A smile automatically paints itself on your face as you begin to read. The series reads like a highly improbable dream sequence. I sort of wonder if the author had any conclusion in mind when he wrote it or if he just let the story write itself (not unlike a dream). This, the second book in the "trilogy" isn't quite as fast-paced in the beginning, but things do pick up toward the end.
17 End of the Universe Falls Short
While this second book in the hitchhiker series is amusingly satirical, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe falls short of laugh-out-loud funny. Some lines will have you smiling at society's stupidity and your own conformity to it, but the overall feeling of the book is simply sci-fi run amuck. I admit that the themes that run throughout the series are intriguing, but the effort it takes to sort through the layers of insanity makes the read almost unworth it. If you have nothing to do, pick up a copy, but don't plan on joining the hitchhiker cult any time soon.
18 The peak of hitch-hiker's series
This is absolutely the best book in the Hitch-hiker's pentalogy. Even better than the first, and the others are on a downward spiral. But this is a maelstrom of inventions, of masterful marvelous satire, ranging from the Absurd, the outright demential and the satyrical. Almost every sentence will make you laugh, and the best of them will make you think! My favourite episodes? Zaphod's irritable personality at odds whit an emotive insect, an acrophobic elevator, a soul divorced from its body and the demented captain of an intergalactic ship waiting for lemon-soaked napkins! Then you have Millyway's Dinner, the Science Fiction answer to Petronius'Coena Trimalchionis, and later, after the encounter whit the man who rules(?) the Universe, the absurd fate of Ark B! Oh,we'll miss Douglas Adams! He was truly unique.
19 Even better than a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe begins where The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy left off, only Zaphod Beeblebrox's idea of stopping for dinner at the aforementioned restaurant is delayed a bit (or an incredibly long bit, depending on your upcoming temporal location). Having escaped the legendary planet Magrathea without having been killed by intergalactic policemen or, in the case of Arthur Dent, having his brain slicked up and studied for the inherent Question of the Life, the Universe, and Everything which is undoubtedly hardwired into it somewhere, the hoopiest cast of space travelers in the galaxy thought their troubles were over, or at least greatly lessened. They were completely wrong. The Vogon ship that destroyed the earth shows up to destroy the last two remnants of that now-dead world, namely Arthur Dent and Trillian McMillian. Unfortunately, Arthur's increasingly strident demands for a cup of real tea have the entire computer system on board the Heart of Gold focused on that task rather than anything as silly as escaping imminent destruction. This is just the beginning of this particular set of adventures. Other highlights include a visit by Zaphod's dead great-grandfather, a night of drinks and food at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Zaphod's experience inside the universally-feared Total Perspective Vortex, a trip in the mega-rock band Danger Area's stunt ship into a sun, a meeting with the real Ruler of the Universe, and a return trip to the Earth-sort of.
Nobody crams as much comedy per page as Douglas Adams. While The Restaurant at the End of the Universe isn't quite as amazing as its predecessor, this is only because its predecessor was so amazingly original and different from everything that came before it. The satire Adams employs, often quite subtle, is as brilliant as always; anyone who reads this book will laugh, but only some will realize that he/she is really laughing at himself and the absurdity of human life that Adams is playing off of. These characters are more real to me than many of the people I know in real life. Best of all, they don't change: Arthur Dent remains the rather bemused, clueless soul he has always been; Ford Prefect is just Ford, only more so; Zaphod-well, Zaphod's just this guy, you know; and poor longsuffering Marvin the Paranoid Android is still the most depressing (yet hilarious) robotically engineered life form in the galaxy. If these crazy characters and Adams' brilliantly comedic narrative don't make you laugh, you would be well advised to don a pair of Joo Janta 200 Super-Chromatic Peril Sensitive Sunglasses because you are headed smack dab into big trouble indeed.
20 The book at the begining of the bestsellers list
The book is pure genious it plunges you into an exciting rollercoaster of a ride, In this enthralling sequel you can rejoin with the bitter monkey based lifeform Arthur Dent and his betelguesian friend Ford Prefect, The criminal president of the galaxy Zaphod Beblebrox, Trillian and of course Marvin the manically depressed paranoid android. In this book we meet Zarniwoop the president of the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy.And also nosh at the restaurant at the end of the universe.
21 More fun, more laughs...
Picking up right where "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" left off, we are propelled into a quest set out by President of the Galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox, friend of our heroes from the first, Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect. Halfway through the novel, Zaphod catches up with our heroes and the fun with Ford and Arthur returns with just as much humor and timing as the first novel. This is a highly entertaining book that continues to explore the silliness of the human race and exploit us terrans for what we really are: dumber than mice. Douglas Adams is one of the great literature writers of the 20th century, and this book proves it.
22 ABSOLUTELY FAB & HISTERICAL
Best book I ever read. Itll cheer you like no other-the world is a wacky place-best to make fun ot it.
23 marvin's marvelous moment
Book two in the Hitchhiker's trilogy--"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is a very good follow up to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." Very funny in its own right, it still fails to achieve the brilliance yet to come in Books three and four.
That said, I'll take not-yet-quite-absolutely brilliant writing by Douglas Adams any day over most of the writers out there.
Marvin is the big scene stealer of book two...he comes darn close to hijacking the whole story. His conversation with the tank-like robot from Frogstar is a piece of comedic writing for the ages. Were it not for the insanity of Zaphod, the brilliance of Adams' depressed robot might stolen the whole show.
But oh--the mighty creation that is Zaphod Beeblebrox. Literature rarely produces such maniacal, unforgettable characters. His disdain for Arthur, his asides to Ford, his complete ineptitude in dealing with Trillian, and most of all--his strained relations with his ancestors. No, Marvin steals some scenes here...but this is Zaphod's book.
The range of Adams' satiric gifts never fails to astound me. The scene in Milliways speaks more effectively to the human condition than many sets of other volumes ever could. We all sit at the edge of oblivion every day. Are we to be mere spectators? Or will we work to create something more?
I give "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" my heartfelt recommendation.
24 Awesome Book!
This book rules! If you like the sarcastic, ironic events that took place in The Hitchiker's Guide to The Galaxy, this book's for you! Even with the addition of a few new characters, this book tells what life must be like for planets other than earth.
25 Dinner is a few light-years away...
After the destruction of Earth, and beginning their search for the answer to "Everything", Arthur Dent and Co. decide to take a little break from their quest and stop by at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe where the food is as odd as it can get.
"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is the second book to the trilogy "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. Book one, first of all, should be read first since most of the background information is in there. This sequel is again also a must read for anyone who enjoys humor and science fiction. The best part of this book I think is that the author has the most craziet ideas impanted into the storyline. Also as a definite positive in this book is that the characters and storyline are very well built. Even though character attributes are not given direct and clear, their actions and speech can give you the idea of unique characters who can be easily distinguished from each other. The storyline, after reading the book, you will be able to tell that it has everything needed for a well built story, especially the exploation of the author's own special world.
Even though thay are from the same trilogy, I think that the first and second book has different purpose to it. Both books are extremely funny, but book one was to explain the basic points and create the scene for the story to flow in, while "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is more packed with adventure and discovery. Anyways, before this sounds like a analization, I would recommend this book not for just people who like humor and science fiction like I said above, but to everyone. This book isn't very long, so it'a very readable. There are almost no slow parts in the story so it's not monotone. So if you got a few minutes each day, find this book and start reading!
26 A ver fine comedic and confusing tale.
This is not as good as the original, but what ever lives up to the original? This is still a fine novel rife with the irreverent humor that this series is noted for. Again we watch our cast be dumped into situations we can barely imagine. Through time travel, to ancient earth, to incredible torture devices to even the headquarters for the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy! One minor flaw in the book is that you have to read the first novel to really have a clue as to what is going on in this one. All in all this is a very funny and entertaining read. Had I not read The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy this novel would probably rank a 5, however since I did read the first book and I gave that one a 5, and this one is not quite as good, this one had to be given a 4.
Thanks for your time. T
27 12 year old male
This book is not good for a 12 year old. It has little plot and makes human seem stupid and foolish. The author has some great ideas but he is not the kind of guy I would make friends with.Also 5 times 9 is not 42!!!
28 13 year old male
This book is not good for a 13 year old. It has little plot and makes human seem stupid and foolish. The author has some great ideas but he is not the kind of guy I would make friends with.Also 5 times 9 is not 42!!!
29 Surpasses the Original!
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is the second act to the book that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy might have been. The first in the "trilogy" was entertaining to say the least. It was funny, entertaining, creative, imaginative. What it was not, however, was the complete epic that I had hoped for. First off, it was not grand like an epic. Secondly, it was not complete like one chapter in any series should be, episodic at least. If "Restaurant" and "Guide" had been coupled together, however, to form one book, the first book, in the series, all my complaints would be completely unfounded. The second installment lives up to the expectations I had in the series and it eclipses them as well as it eclipses The Hitchhiker's Guide.
Restaurant is funnier, more adventurous, more satirical, more entertaining, and becomes the novel that I had long anticipated Douglas Adams could create. Adams, indeed, seems to be so endowed with imaginative ideas that they are in surplus. That, his astounding wit, and attention to culture, all combine to create one of the most entertaining novels in an admittedly minute genre. What the second installment brings to the series is scope. The first one had ideas, and they were indeed big, but in Restaurant Adams finally finds a way to implement them and make them coherent. In that respect, it becomes the basis for the series' success.
And so, after finishing the first and second books, discovering their unity as the grand sci-fi/humor epic that I had long anticipated, I have renewed faith in a series that I initially received with some skepticism. Adams is indeed the best at what he does, no matter how obscure and specific that might be. His style, intelligence, and imagination are all perfectly in tune with the universe that he has created for us. Keep in mind however, that it is a cohesive universe, where parts alone do not create independent wholes. Restaurant is a magnificent book that you will not fail to enjoy. And more importantly, it is a book that will help you to enjoy the rest of Adams imaginative universe.
30 The magic of the first book continues...
This sequel is as funny and as original as the first hitch-hiker book...a gripping, wild, hilarious zany adventure involving Arthur Dent, his friend Ford Prefect, oh-so-cool Zaphod Beeblebrox and lovely Trillian...a must for everyone who liked the first book.
31 very funny book
I have just been introduced to Douglas Adams, and as I read his first book, The Hitchikers Guide To the Galaxy, I didn't totally understand his humor, but then I finally caught on and I don't think I ever laughed so hard, my cheeks started to get sore from smiling and laughing. theres absolutely nothing serious about the book, its not like some parts are serious during the story and some are just funny, the whole book has a story to it and its one funny page after another. If your looking for a funny book then pick up any Douglas Adams book, you don't have to read them in order if you wanted to know but its always nice to do that.
32 A Fast Paced Hilarious read
I don't read a novel unless it interests me after the first 3 pages. This one passed that test with flying colors, and was Hilarious and Entertaining enough to Not only enjoy reading, but I didn't want to put it down! I did not read the first or last of the Trilogy, but after reading this book, I would gladly give The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Universe a fair 3 page acessment any time!
33 Awesome Adams
Adams does it again with the second book in the Hitch Hickers Guide series. I was slightly disaponted by the end of this book but other than that it is wonderful. You need to read teh first book in this series however to understand this book. Trust me you will have fun reading these two books.
34 Is there something hidden in the mind of the writer!?!
The writing is more coherent now, his whimsical writing apart from being funny is making a complete thread running through the story. The book's protagonist continues to be funny while the infinite improbability drive is always on your mind when you read the book through... The author can sell ten books in this trilogy!!!
35 Fabulous Follow-Up
Often follow-up projects are a let down, especially when the original is as successful at The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Well, this one lives up to expectations. While looking for the question to the answer of life, the universe, and everything, our lot of characters experience more unpredictable (should I say improbable) events. Traveling through time, or even understanding how to talk about it, will really blow your mind. The restaurant at the end of the universe and the total perspective vortex are also worth the visits, although for very different reasons. And don't worry, it appears that the universe is in good hands - at least so says Trillian. Arthur and Ford's encounter with the Galgafrinchens also puts them a step closer to the ultimate question.
I wouldn't start with this book. Adams has written it in such a way that the background of the first book (as I mentioned above) is really good to know. I would have given this 4 3/4 stars if possible, as the ending isn't quite as tidy as the first book; but rounding forces us up to the top mark. This book is another fun, quick read, which I think is the way Adams intended it.
36 Better than the First
Synopsis: The second book in the Hitchhiker series. More zany antics as Arthur, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian dine at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Zaphod sets off to complete his mission to find the man who rules the Universe. Arthur and Ford hitch a ride on another ship. The ending has a nice twist. Maybe I didn't get the joke, but 6 by 9 is not 42.
Writing: 3 stars. The writing has improved since the first book. Sometimes he tries a little too hard to be funny or absurd and it's just stupid. But for the most part it was pretty funny. The way he writes dialog though is hard to follow at times.
Characters: 5 stars. Characters are well developed and interesting. Each character has their own personality and funny quirks.
Plot: 4 stars. The plot is a lot better than the first book. It doesn't seem to jump around as much and makes a lot more sense. Not as many loose ends as the first book, which ended quite abruptly.
Dialogue: 5 stars. Dialog is funny and witty. I would say it's the strength of this book and the series in general.
Setting: 4 stars. The settings are nicely developed and sometimes hysterical. I had no problems visualizing the surroundings although sometimes they are silly.
Overall: Add `em up, you get 4.2... What's the probability of that happening? Round down to 4 because it wasn't good enough for a 5.
37 Funny, and witty
Goes where no book has gone before really makes you think
38 LAUGH OUT LOUD HILARIOUS
This is the book that introduced me to Douglas Adams and his wacky sense of humor. At first I had no idea what was going on the book, but it was a thin book so I decided to keep reading. The one part that really makes this book memorable--and worth reading--is the end. There are few books that can make me laugh out loud. This is one of them.
39 Classic Dougla Adams
What can I say? This book makes up 1 part of the best 5 part trilogy in science fiction.
A must read.
40 Funniest Book I've Ever Read
As good as The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is, this book is better. It's longer, more unpredictable, even weirder, and certainly funnier. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud during the course of reading this book. It is quite simply the funniest book I have EVER read. In this book such improbable (not to mention hilarous) situations as a computer trying to make tea, the disclosure of the identity of the man who rules the universe (he lives in a shack), a restaurant where you are served just as the universe is about to end, and more pop up. Read this book, it's a riot. When you read the first book in the series you'll like it and want more, and The Restaurant At The End of the Universe will satisfy your cravings... and then some.
Unless, of course, you forget to bring your towel.
41 A hilarious and bizzare novel
This book was outstanding. Not only did it include a strange setting and an ever-changing plot, but it also incorporated many science-fictional aspects that could possibly one day be true. It was very entertaining and I especially enjoyed the computer technology of the future that Adams writes. In it, all machines and computers have their own personalities and strange quirks about them. The computers are not the only strange things though, with characters such as Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ford Prefect, and Arthur Dent, there is never a dull moment in the novel.
42 Is it time to eat yet?
Have you ever wondered about the universe? Like really how big it really it, how was it made, is there life out there, or even why life exists? What better then to ask the king of the universe himself "Douglas Adams" Douglas Adams writes a story about these weird, exotic, and unpredictable events. This story is also a second edition to the trilogy.
This story begins with the ending of the last book Douglas wrote called "Hitchhikers guide to the Universe." But the exciting adventure begins when big bad battle ships full of life threatening Vogon's approach a small starship and fleet. On that small ship was Authur Dent, a human man who had escaped Earth, seconds before the Vogon fleet had destroyed it (thanks to his good old friend Ford Prefect). He's your average type of man only with lot worse of luck. Ford Prefect a kind of a strange character with an awful lot of humor. Zaphod Beeblebrox, which is a two, headed, ex-president of the universe, and whose luck is not very well also. Judging on his characteristics and personality, you might say or excuse me he would say he's a "Hip Cat", Martin the robotic genius dictionary, and many more.
The adventure goes on to tell how Zaphod and his friends try to foresee his purpose in life and to try to find his future. With this in mind, he and his interesting crew time travel throw out the book and are also looking for a quick bite to eat scene they have not eating in a few oh say.... a couple million years. Events such as almost near death experiences every time they turn their backs due to someone trying to stop the Zaphod and his friend for finding the truth of life.
At the end of the book they find that life goes by to fast and no time to waste. They also see the beginning of a new life. I do not to blow the whole story for you if I hadn't already. I do say if you like a story dealing with twisted ties, exotic characters, and the unpredictable to happen. Give this story a try. I think you might like it.
43 Sci Fi Comedy
A good book for anyone who likes a few laughs and a sarcastic twisted way of looking at the universe. There isn't too much character development and quite frankly it doesn't need it. The imagery is pretty expresive and very helpful when trying to visualize weird locations and off the wall characters.
44 drop in for a bite
The second in the increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Trilogy happens to be my least favorite. However, I give it three stars because it is Douglas Adams. Although his work is often somewhat overrated, he does happen to have a great sense of humor. The greatest weakness of the book, as with the first, is the lack of a coherent plot. The book relies almost entirely on its wackiness to keep the reader's attention. There is a plot element from the first book that is carried on and resolved, but it ends unsatisfactorily and anticlimactically as well.
While the Restaurant idea is original and entertaining, it really has little to do with the story, which makes the title misleading. Besides, it seems most of the focus in this book is on Zaphod, whom I find extremely annoying (which I suppose is exactly how Doug wanted me to find him).
The ending of the book is pretty cool, setting up a potentially fascinating plot for Ford and Arthur in the next book. However, the situation is resolved disappointingly early in the next novel. Go ahead, read it, it's great fun, but I don't feel it's the greatest the series has to offer. However, seeing as how this is only a series in the loosest sense, it is not of extreme importance. Unless you're like me and simply have to read every novel rumored to be connected with a series, you can probably skip this one without losing too much sleep.
45 A burst of comedic genius
Well haven't I said enough about the first one ? No, nope definitely not. The first time ever I have commented on a trilogy and talked about the sequel to the first one, its worth it.
The travels continue with Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillian and Marvin ending up at the "Restaraunt at the End of the Universe", literally that, a restaraunt where people from all over creation can observe the destruction of the entire Universe in comfort and dine throughout while listening to the compere Max Quardlepleen who makes jokes in bad taste and basically just has some fun, the meal itself being amazingly expensive because the restaraunt is held in a time bubble, investing a single penny in the distant past in a bank account will of course pay for it after extremely long term interest is calculated. There are of course many strange people here too such as followers of the second coming of the great prophet Zarquon who is amazingly late but who through some sort of miracle appears in the last few seconds only to vanish in a puff of smoke, some people from Sirius B the dog star making appropriate barking noises and others who feel quite depressed after Max notes : "And there we see the Solar system of Gastromil boiling away into the ultra violet, its too late to worry about whether you've left the gas on now".
This is the best of the series no doubt about it, the burst of genius started in the first book blooms in this one. Just a taste of what can be found in this superb comedy.
46 A letter to the author about my likes and dislikes.
This is a review in the form of a letter to the author, Douglas Adams. It includes my likes and dislikes about this hysterical book.
Mr. Douglas Adams Dear, Douglas Adams I am writing this letter to inform you how much I enjoy The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy books. I remember when I was first introduced to your books; I was on a boring trip to Las Vegas, and I remember it making my trip a lot more exciting. Out of all the books in the series The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is my favorite. I have read all the books in the series, and I can't get enough of the hysterical topics and everyday situations, the pointless and off the wall technology, and the weird adventures the characters get into. The one thing I really enjoy about this book is the creativity and diversity of the characters. My favorite characters are: Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two headed ex-president of the galaxy, Arthur Dent, the last male human in the universe, and Trillian, the depressed robot. However there are so many great characters in this book, and I will continue to read your books whenever a new installment is published. I have suggested this book to all of my friends, because of these reason: hilarious plot, searching the universe for a bite to eat, the unbelievably created scenes, when they are attacked by the Vogon's, the lush language, the constantly changing story, and the very descriptive paragraphs. The one thing that impressed me the most is the way you can make a novel out of any situation. Thanks to your vast imagination and curiosity on how life is, my view on how things work have been dramatically changed for the better.
Sincerely, Steven Thesman
47 A Letter to Douglas Adams
This is a letter to Douglas Adams explaining my likes and dislikes for this book. I suggest that everyone read this book, because it is hilarious.
Dear, Douglas Adams Mr. Adams, I am writing this letter to inform you how much I enjoy your books. I remember when I was first introduced to your books; I was on a boring trip to Las Vegas, and I remember it making my trip a lot more exciting. Out of all the books in the series The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is my favorite. I have read all the books in the series, and I can't get enough of the hysterical topics and everyday situations that you put into your books. The one thing I really enjoy about this book is the creativity and diversity of the characters. My favorite characters are: Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two headed ex-president of the galaxy, Arthur Dent, the last male human in the universe, and the depressed robot. However there are so many great characters in this book, and I will continue to read your books whenever a new installment is published. I have suggested this book to all of my friends, because of these reason: hilarious plot, the unbelievably created scenes, the lush language, the constantly changing story, and the very descriptive paragraphs. Thanks to your vast imagination and curiosity on how life is, my view on how things work have been dramatically changed for the better.
48 Stands the Test of Time (and Time Travel)
Having re-read the first book in the Hitchhiker's Guide series but having been disappointed, I continued on undaunted, remembering that the second book was better. Happily, my memories were quite correct.
This book continues what Adams started in the first book, using the bulk of the second half of the first radio drama and a huge, fascinating second plot from the second (otherwise forgotten) radio series. While we follow Arthur Dent, slowly gaining a measure of ability to deal with the insanity in his life, we shift to watch Zaphod Beeblebrox complete the mission he himself set for Zaphod without the current Zaphod's knowledge. The two plots are much stronger and provide a strong hook for all of Adams' humor from which to hang.
As the book goes along, Adams' command of the language sharpens and his tone becomes less jokey even when telling a joke. The result is a work that is funny but sober, philosophical witohut being pedantic.
I just wish that Zaphod, so impressive an anti-hero, had a part to play in the other HGTG books.
49 Great sequel - lots of laughs
This book is one of the funniest books I ever read. When I first read Hitchhiker's guide, I didn't think it could be topped. I was wrong. Lots of laughs, and a good story to boot.
50 Don't Panic
Those are the words indented onto the cover of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The imense book would make anyone panic. It's so big that it's a PADD like device. No Paper.
The Restuarant at the End of the Universe is the second book in the inacuratly named Hitchhiker's Trilogy. It continues the quest of Aurthur Dent and his companions as they try to find the one man that controls everything. They eat at a restaurant where the food wants to be eaten and says so. Also they go to a rock concert. (But not the way you think thay would go.) This is a good book.
I give TRATEOTU *Downs five Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters* FIVE *Burp* STARS!!!!!!!!
51 Take me to the Restaraunt at the end of the Universe!
I'll got to the restaraunt any time. This is the second book in the series, and able to keep up the hilarious comedy. I really liked this one. I hope that anyone who liked Hitchhikers Guide would read it. It's awesome!
52 Hilarious
Brilliant. Witty. Biting. Absolutely Hilarious. The Hitchhiker series is not to be missed; they are the funniest collection of books ever written. I don't think I could decide which one in the series is best, as they're all great. I'm not much for fiction, but I couldn't put these books down. Buy them all!
53 Zarking Great!
In the beginning, The Hitchhiker's Giude to the Galaxy was written. This made a lot of people happy and is generally regarded as a good move.
Some time later, it was followed up (by a sequel). This also made a few people ("The people...the things..." "The things are also people," hissed Ford. "The people...the...other people...") very pleased. I am among them. DNA is an excellent writer and this book is perfect alone, after its predecessor, or with a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. Brilliant satire, wonderful characters, and the depressed droning of our favourite Paranoid Android all contribute beautifully to a work of sheer unadultered weirdness. I'd reccomend reading HHGG first to all newcomers to the HHGG trilogy, but if you've already read the first in the series the best way to follow it up is by reading the second. Or by stopping for lunch at Milliways--The Restaurant at the End of the Universe! (But don't forget your towel!)
54 Yeah, Baby!
Great stuff. There are tons of cool little things going on... If you haven't read this one, look forward to learning about the Total Perspective Vortex, and why the one thing people should NEVER strive to have is a sense of perspective. Moreover, this book features a rock star who is spending a year dead for tax purposes. It's worth the money for that part alone.
Also, Marvin is back, hapless as ever, which adds something to the experience of this book, although to call it a positive addition goes somewhat against the spirit of Marvin... whatever. It's still hysterical. The central plot of this story, to the extent that there is one, is Zaphod Beeblebrox's desperate attempts to totally avoid any adult responsibility, and to simply enjoy life. Again and again, he is thrust into circumstances that he himself set up, in sort of a previous incarnation (not exactly, but if you read the story you will see what I mean), and again and again his one goal is to flee his responsibilities and try to party harder than any sentient being has ever partied before. You could not possibly ask for a more hilarious anti-hero. I loved it. And, as usual, along the way Douglas Adams makes you think about a whole range of issues, from meat-eating, to the economic perils of putting all your eggs in one basket, to the inanity of making documentaries on disasters when the disaster is happening all around you. Seven thumbs up.
55 very funny
Not quite as good as The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, this sequal occurs directly after the events of the that book. And continues with the same inspired lunacy. A must read for anyone who loves SF, or who just wants to laugh.
56 you people are crazy!
It is very evident that people who don't have a clue what exactly real humor is gave this book more than three stars. This book is so terrible that I wouldn't even force Jesse Helms to read it in an attempt to torture him. If someone says that this book is good, then run because they're probably mentally unstable.
57 Watch the end of the universe as you dine........
Yes, there is a resturant that you can dine at and watch the end of all we know, while at the same time, having a fabtastic dining experience!
Hilarious book! Met Marvin the Paranoid Android. Witness the end of all time/space. Meet an intelligent speaking animal that presents itself to you as your main course and is insulted if you don't eat it!
A fun, fun book!
58 Hillarious
This book is the most funny of all the books I've ever read it may have only a thin line of plot but Douglas Adams makes jokes all along the way it is so funny it will make you vomit!
59 An improvement over the first book.
This sequel to "Hitchiker" was more enjoyable than the first book. I did'nt find this book to be as absurd as the first, which is an improvement. I also found myself enjoying the characters more in this book than the first. Some of the settings and profound situations in this book where also enjoyable.
All in all a solid four star read. A little to silly and unrealistic at times, but still 4 stars.
60 TOO STUPID! nothing there
If you like Monty Python, The Three Stooges, Benny Hill type of humor this is for you. Personally I find it boring. I did find the first third of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy hilarious but after that it took a dive into monotone repetitious absurdity. Too stupid.
61 Hilarious!
Among the best books I've read. A worthy sequel to A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The ideas Douglas Adams has are ridiculously ingenious. I highly recomend this book, but read the first one first.
62 I think the book was great
The ideas Doulas Adams comes up with are mind bogglin
63 Absolutely amazing
Well, there is not much I can say because it is really funny, as is the rest of the series
64 HILARIOUS!
Wow I haven't read a good book I couldn't put down ina while, beyond my fall backs of course. this book was hilarious! I rarely find things meant ot be funny funny (really) but this is my warped sense of humor all the way! I didn't even need to read Hitchhiker's Guide (although I did know a little bit about it) Go pick up this book and read it. Although I suppose you should probably read Hitchhiker's Guide first...
65 One of the Greatest Sequels EVER!!!!!
I loved this book as much as the first one. The jokes and the goofy facts just made me and my dad laugh out loud. It is another book that is impossible to put down. Every one should READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
66 Better than the first.
This book is very very cleaver and funny. I am only 15, and I love the series. I read Hitchhikers Guide and I loved it. I picked up Restaurant and I read it in one night! Thats a first for me. The writing is very neat and tidy. The funniest part of the book I think is Marvin. He just makes my day. The concept of a manic-depressive robot just makes me smile. You'll love the series, and you'll love this book. Excellent read.
67 The best of the series ...
I liked this book more than any other in this amazing series. Somewhere around page 30 (I rememeber this even though I read this book 18 years ago) if you aren't hysterical with laughter, you need to see a doctor.
68 Whacked-Out Nonsense
The second book in the trilogy is a hilarious, mind-boggling, freak-out. The only problem would (and I didn't have to deal with this) is it is utterly incomprehensible to people who never read book one. Thankfully all I need to read is So Long, And Thnaks For All The Fish
Douglass Adams is a genius!
69 a must read
dont be discouraged, 3 is my lucky number, so it is the best i can give it. the beggining was really funny but then the jokes dwindled. sometimes it was hard to follow but was always interesting and one of the best books i ever read. i didnt read the first one but it didn't matter, reading the back was enough. a must read!!!!!
70 A classic fictional piece to enhance the reading experience
"TheRestaraunt at the End of the Universe" by Douglas Adams is interestingly told. The book is about a band of intergalactic time-space travelers. They are aboard a beautiful space ship called the Heart of Gold. The story goes along as they travel through the universe. They encounter many different characters, settings and plots. The four main characters are Arthur and Trillian, Earthlings, Ford Prefect an alien who lived on Earth, and Zaphod Beeblebrox, the former head of the Galaxy. The four travel through the universe seeing amazing sites and unwittlingly solving the ultimate question: "What is the meaning of life the universe and everything."
This is an enjoyable book which displays many creative writing techniques that are well-organized to tell a seedy plot which ends up complete and whole. This book is very interesting . The book is mostly written with words that would not make sense alone but together the words come together and are very expressive and poetic. At first glance the words are jumbled together in an uncommon manner, but after being processed end up fluent and unified. Paraghraphs need to be examined closely to connect all conotations and to see the intricate imagery used. Each story is told with the utmost respect for the reader to discern the story. The story tells a clasic moral and is a book to be read for the ages.
71 worst then the first
If you read the first book in this series and really liked it then you should definitly get this book, otherwise don't get it. I didn't like this book very much because the charachters are not well developed at all and the only good quality that the book has is humor, and it's lacking in that. It's not suspensful, you don't get very involved in the story, and as I said, only get it if you REALLY liked the first book.
72 Ever funnier than the first.
restaurant at the end of the universe is a rare event in literature, or most art for that matter. It is the sequel that surpasses the original. I read Hitchhiker's in fifth grade and I find it hilarious even today. However, Restaurant is even funnier than the first. If you have read Hitchhiker's and maybe didn't find it very enjoyable, I implore you to read its sequel. It will not let you down.
73 Subtle Cruel Practical Jokes Do The Trick.
The little practicle jokes that are pulled are wonderful. I first read this book in the 80s. I'm an executive in my mid thirties and loved it so much I ordered his book Mostly Harmless.
If you enjoy reading subtle practical jokes being pulled on millions of characters at a time, this book is for you.
74 Dining at Milliways
I first read this book when I was twelve years old. I have now reread it again, seven years later, and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time. A worthy sequel to the hysterical, eccentric, and ingenius "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". How does Adams come up with this stuff? The man is brilliant. Zaphod Beeblebrox is one of my favorite characters of all time...so cool, so suave, so hip he has difficulty seeing over his pelvis... And with the ever-confused Arthur Dent, his friend Ford Prefect from Betelgeuse, Trillian (the only other native earth being besides Arthur who escaped from the demise of the earth), and Marvin the paranoid android; this is an insane adventure you shouldn't pass up.
75 Hilarious, odd and interesting to the last.
The Restaurant at the end of the Universe is the second book in the Popular HitchHiker's Guide Series. Though not as funny or interesting as the HitchHiker's Guide this is a book you will wan't to read more than once.
76 THIS BOOK WAS THE BOMB !!!!!!!!!!!
This book was a total page turner. Douglas Adams gave a comical view of EVERYTHING ! He brought back those great charectors again and when those fellows get in a life or death situation, like when there diving in to the sun, that's when the laughter comes out. So will Zaphod ever see Arthur and Ford again ? Will the Earth's history tottaly change ? Will the whole gang meet up again? Find out in " Life, the Universe, and Everything. "
77 BENNY HILL-EAT YOUR HEART OUT
THIS BOOK WAS FANTASTIC.WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT THAT EARTH WAS MADE UP OF A BUNCH OF OF REJECTS.I CAN SEE TRUTH IN THAT.EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. ZAPHOD IS SIMPLY HILLARIOUS.MY PERSONAL FAVORITE PART OF THE BOOK WAS WHEN YOU MEET THE MAN WHO RUNS THE UNIVERSE AND FIND OUT THAT HE DOSENT EVEN KNOW THAT HES DOING IT.PLUS WHO KNEW 6 BY 9 WAS 42.
78 Continuing a great story
There is probably very little praise that I can give Douglas Adams for this book that has not already been said. He creates characters that, despite their planet of origin or the fact that they often have extra arms or heads, are very easy for the reader identify with. (In fact, I believe one of my college roommates was very closely related to Marvin the paranoid android, but I digress...) This is a spectacular book in a spectacular series. I suggest that you read them all.
79 DO?NT PASS THE HITCHHIKER BY. PICK IT UP!
I read "The Hitchhiker..."during one of the most trying times in my life and it enabled me to laugh ,and I mean a good belly-type of laugh,even though my world was falling apart. The fact that this is exactly what happens in the beginning of the story was probably why I could relate to it.
My favourite passages were the ones describing: 1. the depressed robot Marvin 2. the Vogon poetry (it?s a killer) If you hav?nt read it already,please do!
80 The best of the series!!!!
If you have read The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, you will love this one! The hitchhikers travel the galaxy in search for a place to eat. The nearest place was Milliways, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe. The only promblem is, when they leave they steal the stuntman, Hotblack Desiato's side ship. In the ship they travel 2,000 years back in time and then teleport at the last second, splitting the hitchhikers apart. Now Ford and Arthur are on prehistoric Earth, where they find the shocking truth about the earth's history....
81 Excellent reading- good for anyone with a functioning brain
I love Adams' writing for many reasons, the foremost of which is his utter disregard for rational thought and associated intellectual encumberings. Hilarity is synonymous with spontaneity, in my opinion, and Adams takes the cake. His attention to detail, too, gets my attention and keeps it. Never a dull moment in the Hitchhikers' trilogy
82 not as good as the first
This book was good but not as good as the first. After Zaphod got out of the soul destroyer it was all downhill from there
83 Pretty bloody funny
This book was hilarious. I had to read it for a book report and I wasn't disappointed at all. The book Life, The Universe, and Everything was better, though. I love the increasingly innacuratly name hitch hiker's trilogy.
84 Great!!!
Maybe not as absolutly hilarious as the Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, but what with tea being made at a most inconvienient moment, flying office blocks, and pink furry insects, it is still a marvelous read
85 The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
You've Already Done 6 Impossible Things Today... Why not top it off with breakfast at.. MILLIWAYS! THE RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE!! At least you find out the Question to the Ultimate Answer... Six by Nine...
86 Douglas Adams rocks!!!!
I've only read the first 2 books in the series so far and I'm getting the next two later today. I think "The Restaurant..." is awesome. I still burst out laughing at some of the scenes, no matter how often I read them. Douglas Adams is brilliant. He's the kinda person I'd like to hang out with on a daily basis - my best friends are the ones that can make me laugh. Marvin is my favorite character in the book - one of the best lines was when Ford (?) asked 'What's up?' and Marvin replied 'I don't know. I've never been there.' There is not much I can say except that you should definitely read this book. Douglas has this wry wit that just pierces through the imagination and brings everything to life, however subtle. I think he is, at the very least, a genius when it comes to the written word and understanding the human (and alien) condition. Every character is concrete and entertaining - you can read a scene and fully accept what the character is saying because you know the character's nature so well. You actually get under the skin of these people and I think that the ability to draw a person into a story is one of the greatest gifts a writer can possess. I look forward to reading more of Adams' books. This is a man with unparalleled talent.
-Trish-
87 Just as good as the first one
Douglas Adams does it again! Continuing right on from the first novel, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe is still pure comic genius. Ever wonder what the Big Crunch will be like? Or what a cow thinks about being eaten? All these questions and more are answered in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. And let's not forget poor old Marvin. Marvin is older that the universe itself by the end of the novel! This novel has a lot of comic twists and turns, and will leave your sides hurting by the end. A must read for anyone interested in Adams, sci-fi, or British humor
88 Hey you, you monkey.
Okay Monkey Man, descended from the telephone
sanitizers of another world millions of years
ago. Prepare to bathe whilst reading this
magnificent sci-fi, tremoring at Marvin's
seemingly un-caring personality, and
the extreme idiocy of Kill-O-Zap handling
hair dressers. Douglas Adams is one of the
few great satirical writers I've read since
Vonnegut. I extremely reccomend going out
and buying each of these books, and read
them over and over and over and........
Perhaps you too will understand what exactly
the computer of Earth is calculating...
Most likely you wont, but don't worry, there's
plenty to be satisfied with from this and all
four others.
89 What is the Ultimate Question of the Universe?
By the time you read this book, you should already know
what is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of the Universe,
but... what's the question?!? That's the dilemma, sort of.
This is one of the very best books on Humorous SciFi ever
written. You'll find yourself wishing for more... but wait,
there's more!
90 Answers to any questions you were ever afraid to ask
After you have read the book you will have no unanswered
questions whatsoever. Even if you still had some after "The
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", now you have a Script
that unveils all the greatest mysteries of the Life, the
Universe and the like. You will learn where Darwin was
wrong, who exactly the God Person is, and what is the right
way to use English verb forms when travelling through time
(and space, actually, but that is not THAT interesting).
You will be also taken to the End of the Universe and
have a chance to talk to a Meal of the Day and find out
what exactly it thinks of predators, and what its vegetable
friend thinks of vegetarians. In short, having read the book
you will have no illusions... none at all.
91 It was one of the best!
I enjoy all of Douglas Adams works! He is my favorite
author and he makes me laugh.
