Life, the Universe and Everything
Life, the Universe and Everything
Book Brief
232
Novel • Fiction
•
Fantasy•
Action & AdventureThe Universe • Far Future
1982
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
In Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams, Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect escape prehistoric Earth via a mysterious couch and join forces with Slartibartifast to prevent the xenophobic planet Krikkit from using a deadly device to destroy the universe. They reunite with Zaphod and Trillian, defeat the Krikkit robots, and thwart the evil supercomputer Hactar's plans.
Humorous
Fantastical
Adventurous
Mysterious
Playful
Reviews & Readership
241,392 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Douglas Adams' Life, the Universe and Everything continues the whimsical and satirical journey of the Hitchhiker's series, delivering wit and humor. Fans appreciate the inventive plot and comedic prose, though some critics note occasional disjointed narrative. Overall, it’s a delight for existing fans, though newcomers might find the storyline challenging to follow.
Who Should Read Life, the Universe and Everything?
A reader who revels in witty, genre-blending science fiction with sharp humor would enjoy Douglas Adams’ Life, the Universe and Everything. Fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series or Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five will appreciate Adams' unique blend of absurdity and philosophical musings.
241,392 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Life, the Universe and Everything is the third book in Douglas Adams' acclaimed series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which began as a radio series on BBC Radio 4 in 1978 before expanding into books, TV, and other media.
Douglas Adams originally got the idea for the title of Life, the Universe and Everything while he was lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck, Austria, stargazing and pondering deep philosophical questions.
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A notable character, the computer program "Deep Thought," originally introduced earlier in the series, continues to play a significant role in posing existential questions, which has become a touchstone for discussions on artificial intelligence and philosophy.
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232
Novel • Fiction
•
Fantasy•
Action & AdventureThe Universe • Far Future
1982
Adult
14+ years
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