I never read any of the HGG books but I've heard a tonne about them. That said, I was of the impression it was just one book.
Apparently, they all have the same main character named Arthur Dent so it's clear that they are direct continuations of each other and not just stand-alone stories happening in the same universe. I thought maybe it's common to be a huge fan and only read the first book, similar to what it's like being a 'The Matrix' fan, but I don't think so. All the books have great reviews, unlike 'The Matrix', where only the first movie does.
I have a rule and that is to not start book franchises. Historically when I did, I would just get bored of the same storyline after a while and it becomes a chore to soldier on.
Does it make sense to just read the first book of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'? Is it the norm or something that people tend to do?
by Loriol_13
9 Comments
Why not just read the first one then if you want more read more?
Personally I’d say it’s quite odd to enjoy something but not finish it but if that’s what you want to do then that’s fine.
personally, i have read two in this series.
from my experience the first book is great just as a standalone, but the second book builds on the plot in an incredibly unexpected way which i found pretty interesting
its funny, but if you get bored of the same sort of tone for the whole series, reading just the first one is totally ok. most people only reference the whole “meaning of life is 42” thing from the first book anyway
They’re really short books, so are unlikely to be terribly time consuming.
You don’t *have* to do anything but The Restaurant at The End of the Universe is a really great book. If you enjoy the first, the second is a great read.
But Adams is my favorite author, so I may be a little biased.
Read them all , they just get funnier as you go
The first one is the best. Nothing wrong with just reading that one.
follow your heart bruv
Firstly, I am sure Douglas Adams would be delighted to have his work described as a book franchise.
It was originally a radio comedy, it has since become a series of novels, a TV series, a comic, a play and a movie.
The novels have been described as an inaccurately named trilogy – but never, to my knowledge, in the direction you have suggested.
More importantly, if you need it to “make sense”, it may not be for you.
However, if you can put your rules to the side for a brief period of time, you may open yourself to ridiculous amounts of enjoyment. And fjords.
I have read and enjoyed them all, however they are complete stories in themselves so there’s nothing wrong with reading one and then stopping.
Personally I’d advise you read the first and see how you feel, there’s no rule that says once you read a book in a franchise you should read the entire franchise.