A book that has replaced the Encyclopedia Galactica for the mere fact that it is way cheaper and soothing. A guide that helps people from every place of the Universe go around and watch the wonders of creation spending as little as 30 Altairian Dollars. Of course, I'm referring to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but do not confuse this one with the great book that came out as a publication of Megadodo Publications located in the sunny Ursa Minor Beta. This one is the book by the earthling Douglas Adams.
The novel follows the story of one Arthur Dent, an Englishman who just had a really bad day and thing keep escalating. Along with his friend Ford they hitch a ride before the Earth gets demolished for a construction plan. Is he ready to see the wonders of the Universe? Of course, not. Is he a hero? Not even close. Are you in for a hilarious and comic plot? That depends on your taste for comedy. Follow the story that has enough twists to make your head spin and laughter to make up for an ab routine.
The story works as the punchline of a bigger joke. What's the joke? A human goes into the universe; it laughs at him. It's an exploration similar to the idea of cosmic horror. You remember that, right? The fact that certain truths are so incomprehensible that the mere contact with them can fracture the mind. However, I would rather call this cosmic absurdity. The idea that humans would make a pretty laughable thing in the middle of an Universal culture.
Foreshadowing takes the central stage of the novel as every event is telegraphed with a lot of anticipation. The results of said events tend to go against the expectations of the reader, but it eases the flow of the plot, dialogue or description that takes place. This is further developed by entries of the Guide, a device that serves to illustrate how all the weird things that happen around the Universe are mundane in their essence.