The Ultimate Question

A quick plot summary:

• The ultimate computer is constructed.
• It is told to answer the ultimate question - you know, the question of life, the universe, everything.
• It computes for 10 million years, and returns the answer: 42.
• Programmers are chagrined that they don't know exactly what the question is.
• A bigger computer is built to find out what the question is.
• It is blown up moments before completing its calculation.
• The book begins.