The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy


Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
1145
Narrator
117
Release Date
April 2005
Duration
5 hours 51 minutes
Summary
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Extremely funny . . . inspired lunacy . . . [and] over much too soon.”—The Washington Post Book World

SOON TO BE A HULU SERIES • Now celebrating the pivotal 42nd anniversary of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy!

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

It’s an ordinary Thursday morning for Arthur Dent . . . until his house gets demolished. The Earth follows shortly after to make way for a new hyperspace express route, and Arthur’s best friend has just announced that he’s an alien.

After that, things get much, much worse.

With just a towel, a small yellow fish, and a book, Arthur has to navigate through a very hostile universe in the company of a gang of unreliable aliens. Luckily the fish is quite good at languages. And the book is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy . . . which helpfully has the words DON’T PANIC inscribed in large, friendly letters on its cover.

Douglas Adams’s mega-selling pop-culture classic sends logic into orbit, plays havoc with both time and physics, offers up pithy commentary on such things as ballpoint pens, potted plants, and digital watches . . . and, most important, reveals the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything.

Now, if you could only figure out the question. . . .
Reviews
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Antonio n

Funny and really entertaining.

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Virginia M

Two of our boys grew up loving this book, so I thought it would be a fun 'road trip' book. Glad I listened to it, I don't feel out of the loop any more! Very nice job on the part of the narrator! Story line was interesting and creative. I enjoyed the first two-thirds best. The wrap up, finish of the story is a bit untidy. Overall, very amusing, entertaining and there were at least 9 out loud chuckles!

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Christopher L.

Loved it!

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John R.

Stephen fry is an awesome reader. This was a great book too! Now I'm just filling in 50 character limit WOW!

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joel beneteau

Perfect combination of book and narrator.

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nab6215

Stephen Fry was the perfect choice for narrating this wonderful piece of space silliness. I loved it and will listen to the rest of the series.

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Lauren Flores

I initially got this book to go to sleep to, but it's hard to sleep because I always get wrapped up in the story. This is one of my favorite books to return to. Great job!

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Abby B.

An absolutely perfect rendition. Don’t bother with anything else. Stephen Fry is the pinnacle of his audio power.

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Jennifer O.

Excellent work of fiction. Enjoyed the narration throughout as the Mr. Fry helped bring the book to life.

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Henry B.

fantastic book, and narration.

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Natasha D.

one of my favourite books of all time well narrated

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Anonymous

Great book

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Angelah

So much fun. I love this story

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Amber L.

always fun

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Anonymous

A great start to what I feel is one of the best 5 book trilogy's ever written!

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Jon E.

One of the great Syfy comedies this was my first readthrough and I loved it and the narrator is excellent

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Anonymous

I enjoyed reading this dozens of years ago and I own the BBC series. It was such a delight to hear Stephen Fry read it as the voices he did were so close to the characterizations in the TV series. What a wonderful nostalgia trip.

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Jahmil E.

One of my favorites of all time!

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Lin Åm

Absolute classic!

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Shoku K.

I love this audiobook. I have listened to it many times and when I am down or bored, it’s a book to return back to. The narrator is the best!

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Anonymous

A truly funny book read by a fantastic reader. I'll listen to ANYTHING read by Stephen Fry, but this is really special.

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Jeffery B.

Have both read and listen to this book. My favorite book of all time!

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Jean B

Stephen fry is perfect for reading the book because in the movie he was the book so I’m glad he narrating this book

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John Rose

Great concept. Seems to drag on in places which is unfortunate in such a short book. I did not enjoy the awkward breaks from the main story to tell jokes that didn't land or to add information that wasn't needed.

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Annika Griffith

I love the weird, wordy satire that is Douglas Adams

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Refi phala

Reading this for a book club and was worried I wouldn't enjoy it. I'm glad I was wrong! Such a fun read.

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Christy Daniell

Great book but could use improvement but this APIs

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Brittany Diperi

My first audiobook experience, and if they're all like this, I'm hooked!

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Ellen Levish

Always a pleasure, and hearing it from Stephen Fry makes it even better!

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Kate Reardon

If you are unamused by Hitchhiker's Guide, you might be a vogon. Adams is an astounding wit and brilliant writer. Nonstop irony and quotable moments--I can't think of a cleverer story. Not for the faint of heart/slow of brain though.

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Seth Hall

Masterful mix of screaming existential horror, character drama, and endless laughs upon laughs. Highly recommended

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Graeme Rassenti

The Hitchhiker's Guide is a representative of great story telling of a non-existent story. Adams writes funny things very well, and offers a rather imagination-laden universe of miscreants and weirdos. The thing is, he can't tell a story worth a damn. Stuff just happens so he can have fun telling you about it. A classic, but not for the story

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edie

I listened to this through a hairy dentist appointment, after I broke a tooth and needed an emergency crown. (I am TERRIBLE at the dentist.) Valium and novcaine helped, and Stephen Fry's wonderful voice helped even more. Made the whole thing almost a breeze. Great, ridiculous story and excellent narration had me giggling on the subway days after the valium wore off. I will look for more narration by Stephen Fry. Thank you!

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Kimberly

i thought it was really good, surprised at how close to the movie it was. I did think the movie was funnier just cause of the added bonus of seeing everything. Still fun to listen to.

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Brian Hicks

Curious how some people love it and some hate it. Clearly it is a style of humor that doesn't appeal to everyone. I find his books the absolute funniest I have ever read. I laugh out loud frequently. Can't say that for many others. He is amazingly inventive, too.

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Anonymous

I like this story. I had some interesting real-life parallels that want you to stop and think.

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David Land

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has been a radio program, television series, the "increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's trilogy" of five books, and a Major Motion Picture. And this brilliantly-read edition by Steven Fry. I've heard or seen or read most of the series' incarnations, and of all, this is my favorite: Steven Fry gets Douglas Adams exactly right. If you're brand-new to the Hitchhiker's universe, this is a great place to start. If Douglas Adams' books are your all-time favorites, you'll find that they get a top-notch reading here.

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Larry Brinckerhoff

I had always wanted to read this book, but never got around to it. It was fun as well as being a bit odd. Certainly did not love it, but overall, a good one to listen too to and from work.

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APDS4

Read this book because I was curious about its cult following. If you're inclined to sit in a room licking stamps with a black light on, this would be a good book to listen to. Otherwise, don't hold out for a plot, a purpose or point of any kind. After a few funny quips in the first disc, it gets worse by the minute until your nauseated at the end. Don't waste your time here.

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Karl Gehring

Honestly this book was horrible!!!! I just fought my way through it, but I would suggest passing up on this one and read something with a little more substance.

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Anonymous

Barely able to get through the book. At best, a light summer read.

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Casey Freeland

If you are like me and part of the minority who has never found the time to read this classic, it's an easy way to check it off your list. It's a fun, pretentious trip down a rabbit hole that spans the universe. The narrator is obviously a joyful fan and my only criticism of the story itself is it feels like the first of a five book series, the beginning of a very long journey. Wish there was more.

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Anonymous

I thought this book was just ok. It is cute in that "childeren's book" kind of way, although they did mention drinking quite a few times. Very wordy though, at times I had to rewind to understand what the reader had just said. All in all it is a short book and easy to get through. The reader did a good job.

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Donna Gerard

This is not my favorite book. In fact, I was not quite sure what I was listening to. It rambled without any direction that I could detect. So I stopped listening and went on to another book. But I went back to it after discussing it with three friends who are enthusiastic fans. There is some value if you are not expecting much. But I have to admit, the whole thing with the mice made me smile.

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Laurajean

Don’t rent the movie… listen to the book. It is light years better and tons more enjoyable. My husband is a HUGE fan of this book. I’ve tried to read it several times, but just couldn’t do it. This was a great alternative. The narration was perfect. So long and thanks for all the fish!

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Howeln

The movie was alright, but the book is hilarious. I have recommended this book so many times to friends that I can't count. BUT, I have found two things by doing this. People seem to either hate or love it, and I have not been able to figure out who is who. I have found people who like similar things in humor, but find the book stupid, and others who generally don't like this type of humor, loved it. Aside from all that, the story is very humorous, but a twisted humor. I find while reading this book that it is better to go along for the ride, and not try to figure out the universe, it's too big, don't bother. Besides, Adams universe has turned against itself and taking it out the inhabitants.

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Anonymous

I found this book to hold such wonderful humor relating to politics, religion, relationships and the sort. But if you are looking for a book that has an excellent story line with wonderful development go somewhere else, this is a book for fun. Oh yeah...excellent job by the reader too.

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Doug Reed

Bizarre, you have to be a few bricks short to enjoy this book.

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Michael Scott

A thoroughly charming read. A book that was quite popular when I was in High School, though I never got the chance to read it. I only wish I'd read it BEFORE seeing the movie. Still, a great distraction from the daily commute, and left me wondering if I should check out the sequels.

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Richard Pattenaude

A charming and amusing book that makes you smile. It is goofy enough that kids will like it and droll enough that adults will want to keep listening. The reader was excellent. Made the miles fly by.

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Talmadge V Vessels Jr

Imaginative! The Hitchhiker's Guide series is an alternate interpretation of life as we believe it to be. The characters are real, beautiful, sometimes creepy, and the journey is inventive and believable -- in an unbelievable way. Thank you, Douglas Adams, for a great read.

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Anonymous

This was an entertaining summer "read", a humorous commentary on the insignificance of even the most monumental of decisions effecting life on this lovely planet of ours.

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Dawn

I read this book many years ago. I wanted to listen to the sequels but decided I would like a refresher first. I really enjoyed hearing it again, it is a really fun book. The voices are very well done.

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Michelle

The narrator was fabulous! He voiced the characters so well! The book was quirky and entertaining. I can't wait to read the sequels!

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Anonymous

This just wasn't for me. I only listened to 2 CDs, and then sent it back. I found the characters confusing, but the story was just plain boring.

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Taos B&B lady

Usually I always read a book before seeing the film made from it, but this one was in reverse order. I think seeing the film first made the book far more understandable when I listened to it. The crazy characters, amazing locations, and stellar visuals were created better by Hollywood than my imagination could have done. Listening without the benefit of the film would no doubt have resulted in a lower rating.

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Bob Stewart

As read by the decidedly British narrator, this came off like "Monty Python in Outer Space." I'd heard about this book for years and understand now why it is a cult classic. Very funny and enjoyable.

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Anonymous

Clever and witty subversive sixties satire, this is a real good listen. The narration is also excellent. Fun but a bit lite.

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Anna Shirey

I've heard about this book since I was in high school - when it was a popular read of the "alternative" crowd. I've often heard non-"alternative" folks say that it was confusing and nonsensical - and I might have agreed if I had read it. But the narrator's take on it was so brilliant that he kept me intrigued, even when the book seemed to take huge digressions. Some great satire here and there, but mostly just fun!

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T.R.

This is not science fiction as in Asimov or Roddenberry. It's more like cartoon network science fiction. I gave it 3 stars for being amusing during dull drive times.

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Casey Robertson

Hilarious and clever. I loved the narration. I must admit I saw the movie first, and as usual, the book was much better.

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Anonymous

I loved this book! The story was interesting and kept me wanting more. The narrator was just fantastic. If you don't love this book then you don't have a good imagination and a love for fantasy. Highly recommend this book for people with imaginations and open minds.

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Diane Pagel

Wasn't that impressed would not recommend to fellow listeners

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Anonymous

Starts strong. Reader reminds me of John Cleese. But does not progress beyond weird and disjointed.

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Anonymous

I had heard of this book for years. I finally decided to give it a try. Loved every minute of it. So funny and totally off the wall. Didn't even know this type of comedy even existed. The author digresses an awful lot, way off subject, but always seems to come around a full circle. I loved it.

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Anonymous

Loved the satire and the skilled narration of this classic!

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Anonymous

This book was awful!! It was 5 CD's. I could only stand to make it through 2 of them.

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