The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Is a novel about a group of characters (Arthur Dent, Ford Perfect, Zaphod BeebLerox, and Trillian.) going through space having weird and wacky adventures. the author of this book is Douglas Adams. throughout the book, there are short little segments from the "hitchhikers guide to the galaxy" that explain funny things that we didn't know, which is a funny little part of the book that comes every couple chapters. (spoiler alert!!) the "meaning of life" scene in the book was rather dissapointing, though. what does the number 42 have to do with the meaning of life? what does it mean? please comment if you know or think you know what it means.