Setting and Conflict in "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy"

This novel is absolutely one of a kind in the fact that I have absolutely NEVER read anything like it. As far as "sci-fi" or science fiction novels go, I tend to stay as far away as possible. If it involves space, aliens, intergalactic traveling, whatever...I tend to stay as clear as I possibly can. This novel, however, has gained my interest. It's basically 300-some pages making fun of the standard sci-fi novel; and that is why I like it. There are two literary elements that clearly stand out to me so far and that is the setting and the conflict.

The setting is absolutely amazing. Very, very, early on in the story the earth is sadly destroyed. Completely, 100%, gone. All beings, all animals, all places, have completely been eliminated to make way for a "Space Highway". Only one "Earthling" has survived and he now needs to travel all over the Galaxy finding different aliens and adventures along the way. This setting is so completely out there that it really makes for an interesting plot. As a character in space, quite literally, everything and anything is possible. Every page is something new and exciting. This couldn't happen if the earth had survived. The plot would be predictable and the novel wouldn't be nearly as engaging.

Since earth is destroyed and our characters are now in space, the conflict takes this standard novel into the extraordinary. Each alien (and there are TONS of them) has a different personality. Some are kind, some are evil; others are rude while others still are loud. It's amazing to see the different personalities that are created. The external conflicts between our lone human survivor and these different aliens, therefore, make for some very interesting conversations and adventures. I believe the conflict will also be able to relate and combine the several parallel plots. As of right now, each plot seems completely unrelated, but I hope overtime the conflict begins making sense and relating one story to another.

As of right now, the conflict and setting definitely keep this novel moving. Hopefully it keeps it up!

Happy reading!

-Ms. Bach