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  • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

  • Written by: Douglas Adams
  • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
  • Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,467 ratings)

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Written by: Douglas Adams
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
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Publisher's Summary

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last 15 years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.") and a galaxy full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; and Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? Why do we spend so much time in between wearing digital watches? For all the answers stick your thumb to the stars. And don't forget to bring a towel!

©1980 Serious Productions Ltd (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Editorial Review

Don’t panic. The destruction of Earth may be imminent. Vicious aliens may be out to get you. Nothing really makes any sense. But you have your trusty Hitchhiker’s Guide. What could possibly go wrong?

All Arthur Dent wants is a simple life. A good cup of tea, a boring job, friends and a pint at the local pub–that's all he needs. Unfortunately, one of these friends isn't actually human; enter the eccentric but lovable hyperspace traveller, Ford Prefect. Together, the dynamic duo embarks on a wild journey, hitchhiking on board a spaceship, stumbling their way across the galaxy from one bizarre adventure to the next and seeking the answer to the ultimate question: What is the meaning of life?

Douglas Adams's iconic The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a masterful piece of sci-fi, filled with inventive worlds and grand adventures accentuated by his signature wit and humour. From Vogon ships to seemingly impossible coincidences via a depressed robot, a Deep Thought machine, a girl named Trillian and a thoroughly intolerable president of the galaxy named Zaphod Beeblebrox, this novel, the first in a series, has it all. It is at once a traditional travel-through-space-to-unknown-worlds science fiction story and a truly unique take on the genre.

Classic English voice actor Stephen Fry narrates this Audible title with the perfect combination of wit and charm, which pairs perfectly with Adams’s offbeat dry humour. Originally a BBC radio series, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy translates wonderfully to audiobook form. Fry brings all the crazy characters to life, from Arthur and Ford to paranoid android Marvin and even Slartibartfast. The first book in the epic series will take you on an adventure of galactic portions, followed by more adventures in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, the Universe and Everything; So Long and Thanks For All the Fish; and, rounding out the series, Mostly Harmless, narrated by another famed British actor, Martin Freeman. Whether it is your first time experiencing the book or you're a diehard fan, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a must add to any listener's library.

Featured Article: 20 Best Sci-Fi Audiobooks for Exploring New Worlds

There is no genre that lends itself better to audio narrative than Science Fiction does. There is a magic that transports listeners to new worlds of wonder and mystery that is heightened by expert voice actors and narrators. A great writer can create an imaginative new world or dystopian civilisation, but it is up to the narrator to bring this world to life around you. We’ve gathered together 20 of the top science fiction audiobooks ranked not only for their stories but for the emotive and compelling narrative performances. Let these award winning tales and voices carry you away to worlds unknown.

What listeners say about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow Stephen Fry

I can’t believe the vocal range of this man!! Incredible! This is the first book, with only one narrator, that I felt was like a film without visuals. I loved how his accent changed, how his tone and pitch were delivered. It really made the story. The story itself has been on my tbr list for a very long time, and I’m
So happy to have finally had such a stupendous introduction to Douglas Adams. Highly recommended!

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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WOW. WOW. This is really amazing.

You better hope you have free time when you start this book, or you'll hate yourself for never finishing it.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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love Stephen fry

I'm new to audiobook, but just listening to it adds an extra dimension to the experience. also helps that Stephen Fry's subtle yet rich performance made this book a sensational time

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A perfect novelization of the film.

although the author didnt quite capture the nuiances of Zoey Daschenel's character. minus one star for that

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliantly narrated

Listening to Stephen Fry read to you this book has to be the auditory equivalent of enjoying a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster.
I suppose a rating of 42 stars would be a bit much.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

I found it overrated. Hopefully I will do better with my next choice. I got lost with all the names and was occasionally brought back into the story. Fry did well narrating.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not my cup of tea, however...

Far less structure and character building than I prefer in a story. Still funny and charming, but I prefer standup for a laugh. Stephen Fry was fantastic.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Ridiculously Silly

Did not like this book at all! Just too silly for me. Stephen Fry did an amazing job as usual, but I found the story itself terrible!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Insightful and very entertaining!

A thoroughly enjoyable book. Fun to read or listen to. Full of clever jokes and very interesting remarks.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it.

I had already read the series, but to have it read to me was great. I laughed out loud.

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1 person found this helpful