• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

  • By: Douglas Adams
  • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
  • Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (54,168 ratings)

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy  By  cover art

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

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!

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.

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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    40,109
  • 4 Stars
    9,439
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    3,167
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    580

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

Complete and Total Space Shenanigans

I heard a story that Douglas Adams thought up the idea for this (these) novels while hitchhiking through Europe. He wandered, drunkenly, upon a field and fell to the ground. As he hazels starred up at the night sky he asked himself - “What would a guide to hitchhiking look like if you were to do so…through the galaxy?” Knowing that this is how the author stumbled upon the idea behind his novel makes reading it even more enjoyable. My own gripe is that in some parts it gets a little too slap sticky for me, now if you’re a fan of British comedy then you will most certainly enjoy this book. I still highly recommend it and am looking forward to finishing all 5 of the HGTTG novels. Also - Stephen Fry MAKES this book. His narration was amazing!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome book!

It made me laugh out loud! The story is really funny and creative and the narrator is really good.

I had a great time!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A laugh-out-loud fantasy space ride!

it's a classic for a reason. give it a go and enjoy the galaxy, mate!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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love love love

love the book like love love love favorite of all time and even better with Stephen fry telling it to me

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

all time classic, I never get tired of listening

Stephen Fry's performance always makes it a joy to listen to this book over and over again.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Such a fun ride

such a fun ride to the Galaxy... shame about Earth though.. the book seems to end very abruptly which is sort of sad because you had enjoyed spending so much time with these interesting characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Out standing

Classic novel so much wit and intelligence. I listen to this hoping it would be as enjoyable as reading the book. I was not disappointed. The narrator was one of the voices from the original BBC production on television. He understood the new aunts, timing, and comedic intent perfectly.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely perfect

Douglas Adams and Stephen Fry.

Enough said.

Though since Audible won't let me publish a review that short: it's an audiobook with a very soothing pace by both author and narrator, quick-witted humour, and a surprisingly light listen despite it's highly intelligent and layered writing. (Or it would be surprising, if I hadn't read the book five times before listening to the narrated version.)

10/10
Would (and do) recommend to my non-sci-fi-loving friends despite their half-hearted protests. Converted a few of them by forcing them to read the first page.

My apologies that this turned a little into a book review, but Stephen Fry makes this book come to life in such a way that it was like reading it for the first time again.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not like movie...better:)

some dont take the time but the story was greatly done and if your here you probably saw the movie.

Well this is the complete story.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An Interesting Tale

The story was original and flowed well.
I am intrigued to hear the sequels.

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