h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've read this book many times and one of the things that often strikes me is how much material Steinbeck manages to get into such a short book. It usually takes me an afternoon to read, but as the article elucidates there is a great deal of depth to the book.

I'd also like to draw attention to the excellent 1992 movie starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinese (who also directed). The film is scrupulously faithful to the book and is really the only example of an adaptation of a book I love that I am completely satisfied with.

A very good article, makes me want to rush home and read the book again.

Hurrah! A great book. I studied it for my GCSE English & it is one of my favs. Also love the film. I felt like i could just mother Lennie.....he's such a sweet, niave character. Really sad at the end, had me sheading a few tears!



Lynsey

Hi,
just wanted to say well done on this - it's a very good, thorough and unsentimental piece of writing - just like it's subject matter. My dad introduced me to Steinbeck and I've been a fan for years now. I actually studied English at Uni and wrote my final dissertation on Steinbeck. Sadly, I'm sure I was marked down because Steinbeck is often not considered part of the canon of western lit. My tutor certainly did all he could to discourage me from the subject matter. This has always seemed absurd to me as I think Steinbeck is genius. With many of his novels, I've found myself reaching the end only to start at the beginning again immediatly. They're always worth revisiting because you always discover something else in them. As much as I Iove of Mice and Men (and I would agree - the movie adaptation is actually one of the best adaptations I've seen - utterly faithful) my faves are Cannery Row and East of Eden. The first time I read the scene with the frog hunt in Cannery Row, it left me laughing so much I thought I would get a nose bleed. In fact, I may just have to pull it off the shelf right now. Thanks

I had to study this book for my Junior Cert, and incredibly, I liked it.

What makes this even more surprising is that I normally hate 'realistic' books, yet I loved this one. Might just have anothe read of it at some point.

I agree, it's an excellent novel with superb decriptive text in the first chapter. Grapes of Wrath, although longer,is a good read.

I agree - it's a cracking book. I also liked In Dubious Battle - not the most famous book of his, but apparently his favourite. It's a angry as the Grapes of Wrath but with a tighter plot. A real page-turner!

I really liked The Moon is Down.

You can see some of his wartime writing coming out in it. It's a real page-turner though the theme is a bit cliche now...

"little miss" - you mention studying this for GCSE English. This is one of my practice essays for the very same GCSE English, almost word for word! We also watched the said film in class - I totally agree that it is an excellent adaptation.

i think the beauty of OMAM is how realistically it reflects so many aspects of 1930s USA, from social divisions to economic hardships to personal relationships... it is one of the most complete novels I have ever read.