Hier können wir den Anderen unser Lieblingsbuch, das sich zu lesen lohnt, vorstellen./ Here we can recommend our favourite book which is worth reading.

Barbara Marten - 22.09.2019 @ 10:54

Hi, I hope you will enjoy reading my article and than you will read the book, which I highly recommend.

Alicja Danielak - 01.12.2019 @ 21:49

The Galaxy Guide

by Alicja Danielak, VIII LO Kraków/Poland

When I think about all those really good books which everyone knows and why they are worth reading, one of my conclusions is that they all show a well-known reality from a different perspective. In my opinion, the book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is good example. This is a series of humorous science fiction stories written by Douglas Adams. The main character’s travel through the Galaxy to find out why their home planet is going to be destroyed. To get to the places which they are searching for, they use the hitchhiker’s guide, the guide dedicated for every galaxy traveller. But what exactly do I mean by “showing reality from a different perspective”? 

I think my first impression of this book wasn’t positive. I could even say, was disappointed. The book is set in, it would seem, a real world in which we are living now. But after a few pages, we find out that the main character’s best friend Ford is… an alien. But that is not all. He says to Arthur (the main character) that the earth will be destroyed in the near future. On hearing this information, Arthur takes a decision to fly with Ford to the nearest spacecraft. And then he begins to realise that humans are not the only intelligent and feeling beings in space. 

This is ‘different perspective’ which I mentioned before. Because we firmly believe that we, humans are the only beings that have discovered and invented so many things, have achieved so much and have their own alphabet. It turns out, that Earth isn't the only planet with life on it. What’s more, Earth is one of the smallest and insignificant planets in universe. Yes, that's right. Not only in the Solar System, but in the whole universe. It is really fascinating that someone could create a story in which we-humans are not important at all. 

It should be said that it isn't a very serious science book. It has more humorous accents than we could expect.  I find this book worth reading, because by showing the world this way it taught me humbleness to my Mother- Earth. I think humbleness is one of the most important values nowadays, because many people are individualists with very strong personalities and sometimes a moment of peace and reflection allows us to get to know ourselves better.

I personally do not know the book, but it seems very interesting to read a book, where the humans and earth are not important. You said that all well-known books show a well-known reality from a different perspective, which I can only agree on, but mostly it is shown that the earth and the humans are most important, with some differences here and there, but this is something completely new for me. Therefore, it is a book that I would like the read someday.

Chris Van den Nieuwendijk - 17.12.2019 @ 15:53

Dear Alicja,

First, I really like the honesty you wrote the article with. Moreover, I can understand why you chose this book: The book "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" describes the unknowing of the human. Out in the space might be hundreds of different beings and we would be fools if we expect something else. The human is a curious being and I belief that in the future we will find knowledge about other worlds and life’s. In my opinion, the book perfectly presents the curiosity of humans about the unknown. 

You also mention that every human is an individual being and you are completely right. Not just the look of each person is special. The character and the personality is unique too. Furthermore, I think the values nowadays of the society are not just humbleness and curiosity. There are other important values like honesty, fairness or loyalty we have to keep in mind. 

Sara Ben Touhami - 17.12.2019 @ 16:25

Ehrlich gesagt habe ich das Buch nicht gelesen, den Film habe ich doch vor vielen Jahren gesehen. Ich finde, diese „andere Perspektive“ sollte die Menschen zur Entwicklung anreizen. Wenn die Menschheit gar nicht wichtig und ziemlich niederwertig ist, sollte unsere Denkweise namhaft verändert werden. Und die Idee, dass wir nicht das einzige intelligente Lebewesen des Weltalls sind, ist gar nicht aus der Luft gegriffen.

Martin Mészáros - 20.12.2019 @ 08:31