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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 (2,475 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: Best Audiobook Narrators for an Immersive Experience

Audiobooks have revolutionized the literary world, opening up classic books to a whole new generation of listeners. It isn't just as simple as committing a great story to tape and letting the tale do the rest, of course, it isn't. In this new and exciting world, an audiobook is only as good as its narrator. A bad voice can drag a good story down, while a great voice can lift good stories. Luckily for listeners across the world, there is no shortage of fantastic voices in the Audible library, filling classic and contemporary stories with character, charm and glee. These are the very best audiobook narrators going today.

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

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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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great time

just a great time. I listened to it on the bus, making breakfast and just in general. I lived the movie and now I love the book

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Absolutely love the series!! One of my favourites.

Classic series, told very well.
I would highly recommend these books to anyone of any age.

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  • Liz
  • 2022-08-05

A great book and I love the narration

this book is like someone took cosmic horror and turned it into a comedy. would definitely recommend

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Excellent narration for excellent story

This is a long (5hr) narration from Stephen Frye. I've used it to fall asleep for the last week.

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Adventure and humour

Steven Fry does such a wonderful job bringing Douglas Adam’s story to life with the humour and enthusiasm it deserves. Both the movie and book are equally entertaining, which is rarely the case.

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A Humorous Wild Ride

Really enjoyed the story, narration, and humour! One can only pray to never hear Vogon poetry ever again.

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LOVED IT

Couldn’t have asked for a better narrator! Stephan Fry is wonderful! An amazing person and an amazing book! Totally worth a listen, even if you’ve read it before!

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Good

I like this book it was very very very very very very very very interesting

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I love it

The book is amazing and the voice is exactly how I would expect it to sound.

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