• 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.

Featured Article: 42 Clever and Deep Quotes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy


Douglas Adams’s beloved The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has been enthralling earthlings since 1979. But before it was published, it was a series of broadcasts on BBC radio—listening to the audiobook lets you enjoy the original charm of its spoken performance. In the iconic volume that inspired six more books, a television series, a video game, and a feature film, esteemed actor and narrator Stephen Fry highlights some of Adams’s best passages.

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

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I love this book!

Stephen Fry is a wonderful voice talent. His narration is interesting and exciting.
This book series is one I can read or listen to over and over again. Thank you Mr. Adams!

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A children’s story! But not only for children.

There is a lot to learn from the ideas of the book. In a certain sense it has an amazing foundation for any minded person to pursue any kind knowledge after the book. It’s also comedic, light hearted and can give good chuckles.

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The Number 42 understood

Absolutely great stuff for listening during eternal walks on the planet Earth and subjects to contemplate about.

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simply outstanding.

It's like reading a Month Python script. The best only more intelligent. I revisit it every couple of years!

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Amazing

Don’t hesitate - just buy this thing. There is so much mediocre stuff on Audible — not this.

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    3 out of 5 stars

The story is mostly harmless.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a most remarkable book. Steven Fry's performance was fantastic, and the humor was as off-the-wall as ever.

Alas, deep down this masterpiece of science fiction humor has a hollow plot that hinges so much on incredibly improbable occurrences that the Heart of Gold is the only reason I'm not crying out against deus ex machina every other scene.

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Simply Fantastic

This was my first real Sci-fi book... I am in love. I followed along with the paper back in hand and it took the book too a whole new level!

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Fabulous

I have loved this book for years but Stephen Fry made it even more fun reading the book. Funny!

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Funny and philosophical at the same time

Amazing book. Stephen Fry's narration makes it even better. Would recommend this book if you are a sci-fi fan.

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  • JD
  • 10-11-20

a personal favorite

love the story, love that stephen fry reads it (no one more perfect for it), love it

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