The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is a remarkable book : it begins with earthling Arthur Dent facing the destruction of his house to make room for a new highway. To add insult to injury, Arthur's friend of many years, Ford Prefect, informs Arthur that Earth itself is about to end, as an alien race wishes to make an intergalactic highway and Earth is in its way. The novel then follows what becomes of Arthur and Ford as they hitch their way onto the Heart Of Gold, the most advanced ship in the galaxy, which itself was hijacked by Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed, way trippy ex-hippie president of the galaxy. Also on board, they meet the unforgettable Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend, whom Arthur once tried to mack on, and Marvin, a paranoid, chronically depressed robot. Thus, Arthur and Ford cruise the galaxy, searching for the question to the Ultimate Answer Of Life, the Universe, and Everything.


The book has been rewritten numerous times, been adapted to other media formats, including stage shows, and radio broadcasts. As a result, many versions of the Guide were develloped, all slightly different. And now, a new version has been added in the form of a movie, being released this week in theathers in Belgium. Most of the reviews I've read were going from 'this sucks' to 'could have been better', so I'm not settings my hopes too high for this.