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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Written by: Douglas Adams
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
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About this listen

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.
Fantasy Fiction Humorous Literature & Fiction Science Fiction Interstellar Witty Comedy Funny Science Fiction

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.

All stars
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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.

Brilliantly narrated

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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

great time

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

Absolutely love the series!! One of my favourites.

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

A great book and I love the narration

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

Excellent narration for excellent story

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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.

Adventure and humour

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

A Humorous Wild Ride

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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!

LOVED IT

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

Good

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

I love it

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