# The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

> 1979 novel by Douglas Adams

**Wikidata**: [Q3107329](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3107329)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker's_Guide_to_the_Galaxy_(novel))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-hitchhiker-s-guide-to-the-galaxy-q3107329

## Summary
*The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* is a 1979 novel by Douglas Adams, the first book in a five-part series that became a cornerstone of science fiction and comedy. The story follows the misadventures of Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect as they travel through space after Earth is demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass.

## Key Facts
- **Publication Date**: October 12, 1979.
- **Author**: Douglas Adams.
- **Part of Series**: *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (1979–1992).
- **Followed By**: *The Restaurant at the End of the Universe* (1980).
- **Genre**: Science fiction, comedy.
- **Publisher**: Pan Books (UK).
- **Award Received**: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1980).
- **Influenced By**: *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (radio series, 1978).
- **Country of Origin**: United Kingdom.
- **ISBN-10**: 0-330-25864-8 (UK), 0-380-97365-9 (US).
- **OCLC Numbers**: 308243700, 175419430.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q25169.
- **Wikipedia Title**: *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (novel)*.
- **Aliases**: *H2G2*, *HG2G*, *HHGTTG*.
- **Opening Line (English)**: "Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small, unregarded yellow sun."
- **Opening Line (Spanish)**: "En los remotos e inexplorados confines del arcaico extremo occidental de la Espiral de la Galaxia, brilla un pequeño y despreciable sol amarillento."
- **Opening Line (German)**: "Weit draußen in den unerforschten Einöden eines total aus der Mode gekommenen Ausläufers des westlichen Spiralarms der Galaxis leuchtet unbeobachtet eine kleine gelbe Sonne."

## FAQs
**What is *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*?**
It is a 1979 science fiction comedy novel by Douglas Adams, the first in a five-book series that follows Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect as they travel through space after Earth is destroyed.

**Who wrote *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*?**
Douglas Adams, a British author, wrote the novel and its sequels.

**What genre is *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*?**
It is a blend of science fiction and comedy, known for its absurdist humor and philosophical themes.

**What awards has *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* won?**
It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1980.

**What is the opening line of the novel?**
The English opening line is: "Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small, unregarded yellow sun."

**What is the series *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* about?**
The series follows the misadventures of Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect, who encounter alien species, absurd technology, and existential questions while traveling through space.

## Why It Matters
*The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* revolutionized science fiction by blending humor with deep philosophical questions. Its absurdist tone and satirical take on human nature made it a cultural phenomenon. The series introduced the concept of a "hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy," which later expanded into the *Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* website (H2G2), a collaborative encyclopedia. The novel's influence extends to media, literature, and even internet culture, cementing its place as a landmark work in speculative fiction.

## Notable For
- **First Book in a Five-Part Series**: Launched a long-running and influential franchise.
- **Hugo Award Winner**: Recognized as one of the best science fiction novels of the 1980s.
- **Cultural Phenomenon**: Inspired a radio series, a website, and adaptations in various media.
- **Philosophical Depth**: Explores themes of existentialism, absurdity, and the nature of reality.
- **Absurdist Humor**: Known for its unique blend of comedy and science fiction.

## Body
### History
*The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* was first published on October 12, 1979, by Pan Books in the UK. It was preceded by a radio series of the same name in 1978, which influenced the novel's development. The book was followed by *The Restaurant at the End of the Universe* (1980), the second installment in the series.

### Series and Sequels
The novel is the first in a five-book series:
1. *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (1979)
2. *The Restaurant at the End of the Universe* (1980)
3. *Life, the Universe and Everything* (1982)
4. *So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish* (1984)
5. *Mostly Harmless* (1992)

### Adaptations and Influence
The series has been adapted into radio, television, and a 2005 film. It also inspired the *Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* website (H2G2), a collaborative encyclopedia that expanded on the universe created by Adams.

### Themes and Style
The novel is known for its absurdist humor, philosophical questions, and satirical take on human nature. It blends elements of science fiction with comedy, making it a unique and enduring work.

### Awards and Recognition
*The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1980, solidifying its place in science fiction history. It has also been adapted into various media, including a 2005 film and a radio series.

### Cultural Impact
The series has had a lasting impact on popular culture, influencing literature, media, and internet culture. Its themes of existentialism and absurdity continue to resonate with readers and fans.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. [Source](http://sciencefictionworld.com/books/science-fiction-books/229-new-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-novel-for-gods-sake-why.html)
3. [Source](http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,296056,00.html)
4. [Source](https://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139085843/your-picks-top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books)
5. MusicBrainz
6. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q206111)
7. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q214862)
8. [The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL2163649W/The_Hitch_Hiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy?edition=key%3A/books/OL17837787M)
9. [Source](https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy_(book)?oldid=16763#Main_Characters)
10. [Source](https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy_(book)?oldid=16763#Minor_Characters)
11. [Editions of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams](https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/3078186-the-hitchhiker-s-guide-to-the-galaxy?page=2)
12. [Editions of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams](https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/3078186-the-hitchhiker-s-guide-to-the-galaxy?page=1)
13. BBC Things
14. [Source](https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy_(book)?oldid=16763)
15. Goodreads