The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

By: Douglas Adams

Narrated by: Stephen Fry

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

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!

Listen to the rest of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy "trilogy."

Want to learn more about the new Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie? Listen to this interview with Robbie Stamp, close friend of Douglas Adams and executive producer of the film.

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

my favorite book

this is my favorite book aside from the bible and I really think the narrator does it proper justice.

short

I just wish it was longer instead of breaking it up for many purchases. oh well good bye and thanks for all the fish.

Stephen Fry gives a fantastic performance!

Classic! Stephen Fry gives a fantastic performance!⭐ I highly recommend this witty tale by comedic genius Douglas Adams.

Hilarious text, somewhat hard to follow

I don't know if it's me but I had a somewhat difficult time following the story. Some of the text was hilarious and I always enjoy the dry British humor but I think I'll need to listen through again to understand what's going on.

Stephen Fry is Phenomenal

Stephen Fry brought each character to life in ways I otherwise could not have.

Different voices for different characters

I seriously love it when a reader differentiates the characters with voice fluctuations. It really helps with following along. Stephen Fry was super enthusiastic through the whole story which also brought out the comedic essence of Douglas Adams’ tone.

Quite fun a fun book to listen to

I look forward to listening to the second book. hopefully our universe does not go down the same path :-p

Great book, good performance

This book is very funny. Good job by Stephen Fry and a good story too. I would recommend it and I will listen to this book again.

It's great satire, even after all this time

What did you love best about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?

Stephen Fry's characterizations - in particular his absolutely perfect voicing of Marvin the Paranoid Android. All that was missing from the TV and radio series was the echo.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As indicated above - Marvin. Listening to Fry's rendition I have to wonder if he was the original voice of Marvin in the radio & TV series.

What does Stephen Fry bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

In particular, vocalization. "Hitchhikers" started out life as a radio show and then a TV series. It lost something when it was published as a book, and the audiobook allows it to regain that something.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I wouldn't. From what I remember the movie received lousy reviews.

so good

one of my favorite books read by my favorite narrator. a fun family friendly read.