Hichthiker's Guide to the Universe etc, five volumes.
2007-06-28 06:39:25 · 11 answers · asked by Serene 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Thanks everyone, these are top quality answers, you're a bunch of stars!
2007-06-28 07:21:35 · update #1
No problem at all with your 12 year old reading this. I have given it to my Year 7 Book Club to read and they love it. The great benefit of Hithhikers is that it gets better the more you read it. Douglas Adams shares a quality with Terry Pratchett in that the older you are the more in jokes you can understand, but still very readable for the young.
After Hitchhikers try them with Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series. These are Discworld books written specifically with children in mind, so the humour is not so subtle.
2007-06-28 19:59:24 · answer #1 · answered by Norman W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a terrific opportunity!! To have a child that wants to read is such a gift. I don't think 12 is too young, although at that age some of the jokes will probably go right over their head. Since you're asking our opinion, I assume you haven't read them. They are terrific books that I read as an adult and enjoyed them very, very much. I loaned one to a friend (another adult) on a long airplane ride and he thanked me a zillion times. Read them yourself. They are quick reads, and lots of fun. You two will have a great time laughing together about the cosmic jokes. What a great parenting opportunity. Have fun.
2007-06-28 06:50:34 · answer #2 · answered by Caper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dad actually read the first two to me when I was like seven and I loved them back then. They are really pretty tame as far as age level is concerned, I think you should let him/her because for a 12 yr old this book has a lot of intelligent thought provoking ideas in it. I think anyone who will laugh at the absurdity of trying to figure out the meaning of life at that age, is going to be very well adjusted individual in the future.
2007-06-28 06:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by C-Ham 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The book doesn't have sex, drugs, or violence. It does allude to some of these activities but it is always in a humorous way.
It is a bit of a cerebral book, and as mentioned above, contain very British humor. i believe you child will be fine, just let them know that if they do not get any of the content that they can discuss it with you.
2007-06-28 07:33:03 · answer #4 · answered by Ralph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for a 12 year old.
The book has some things in it that are only caught by a slick mind, but if your 12 yr old gets it, they get it. It doesnt have sex- drugs or violence, but alludes to it in a witty manner.
2007-06-28 06:55:05 · answer #5 · answered by scandalous candice 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started reading them in middle school and I understood most of the jokes in it. Those books are too heady but if you get hooked on them early in life you'll go back later and reread them and understand them more.
2007-06-28 06:43:37 · answer #6 · answered by X M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let him read it im 14 and read it 3 years ago it is sooooo good almost on the scale of a pan galactic gargle blaster(lol) the book is so much better than the film
2007-06-28 06:43:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your child understands satire than go for it. It is a very good series for a child to read and reread when older.
2007-06-28 07:20:51 · answer #8 · answered by speranzacampbell 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've read most of the first one. It has sexual references, but that's all that I can recall. If he/she is mature enough to bear that, they'll be fine.
It also humors Christians, I believe. If you get easily offended by that, then...
2007-06-28 08:23:49 · answer #9 · answered by Lauren 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She will be fine! I read it and loved it (in school) at age 11. There not inappropriate. They are very funny and witty. I'm sure he/she would love it!!
2007-06-28 06:49:01 · answer #10 · answered by Ellie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋