The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
By Douglas Adams
Harmony Books, 1979, 215 p., Fiction

"Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun." (pg. 1)
 Thus opens Douglas Adams humorous satire on life, politics, philosophy, science fiction, or anything that has a high improbability of appearing suddenly and disappearing. The story follows Arthur Dent, an unremarkable citizen of Earth, and Ford Prefect, an alien who has been stranded on Earth for fifteen years; as they traverse the Galaxy with the Zaphod Beeblebrox,who has two heads (though he is not any smarter than a perfectly normal person with one head), and Trillian, a beautiful and intelligent former citizen of Earth.

Adams hilarious novel was originally produced as a radio show by the BBC and only later was it turned into a five book trilogy (yes a trilogy that was composed of five books), a theater production, video game, TV series, and a movie. Though some may find his novel to mind boggling and say it makes no sense, (and perhaps nonsense is the point), Adams has a talent for arranging words in such a way that the reader may find themselves laughing even if they can't really understand what they just read. There are also moments when - if one really focus on a sentence and peeks beyond the humor - the reader will find something profound or universally true. In short, it is the language, the way that words are used, that makes this book great. This would be a great read for someone who wants a good laugh, loves outer space, is a Doctor Who fan, or has ever wondered what is the answer to the meaning of "Life, the Universe, and Everything." (pg. 170)

Dune

Dune
By Frank Herbert
Berkley Pub Group, 1965, 883 p., Science Fiction

"Arrakis - Dune - Desert Planet" (pg. 4)

Paul Atreides was born son of Leto Atreides, Duke of Caladan. But, when Paul is 15 his father is made Duke of Arrakis. Arrakis, the desolate planet where water is so scarce that the native people recycle their own bodily fluids to survive. Arrakis, where sands stretch across the planet and natural plants don't grow. Arrakis, the home of the spice. Arrakis, the home of the Fremen. The valuable and addictive spice can only be mined in the deserts of Arrakis where lack of water and giant sand worms threaten those who venture to find the spice. Yet, despite these the dangers the mysterious Fremen call the deep deserts of Arrakis their home. This is the world Paul has come to, the world he must conquer, before he is killed.

To those who are familiar with Herbert's work the word "Dune" echoes the sound of empty wind brushing against open desert sand. Herbert's book is considered a Sci-Fi masterpiece and the first book in a series. The characters and plot are certainly engaging, but it is the world of Arrakis that makes this novel great. Herbert has created a world that is both familiar and alien. Here is a novel were the landscape is as much a character as the actual people that inhabitant it. This is a slow paced novel, but every detail immerses the reader deeper and deeper into the sands of Herbert's planet. Filled with plots and plots within plots this book does contain violence. Adults who enjoy Science Fiction or who like to read to travel to a different place will enjoy being swept into Herbert's world of Dune.