Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

By: Douglas Adams

Narrated by: Stephen Fry

A much loved science-fiction classic, this entertaining intergalactic adventure has a lot going for it - including narration by British comedian Stephen Fry. Adams displays his talents for a creating a whole new world in this first of five audiobooks in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Packed with brilliant humour, extraordinary characters and a highly original storyline, it's no wonder that this novel is a favourite of so many.

One Thursday lunchtime the Earth gets unexpectedly demolished to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. For Arthur Dent, who has only just had his house demolished that morning, this seems already to be more than he can cope with. Sadly, however, the weekend has only just begun, and the Galaxy is a very strange and startling place.

©1979 Serious Productions Ltd (P)2005 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

'One of the greatest achievements in comedy. A work of staggering genius' - David Walliams

'By turns authoritative as the narrator, bemused as Arthur Dent, deadpan as Ford Prefect and manic as Zaphod Beeblebrox, he [Stephen Fry] makes an altogether appropriate reader' - The Times

'Master of comedy Stephen Fry delivers a brilliant audiobook narration' - Editor Review

'He had almost a Wodehousian style and some of his phrases and jokes entered our language. He changed the way people spoke' - Stephen Fry

Marvellous!

Enjoyed every second of it! Stephen Fry does this, as always, like a boss. Beginning the second part now. Excited!

always amazing to read/ listen

started listening on a Sunday late afternoon and finished it the next Monday it's such a captivating and fun story you can't help but wasn't to listen continuously

A weird but incredible journey

Ohh what a book. It truly is an insane tale but you can’t help but love it. The way this book jumps from one place to another is so incredible and fun. Truly a great time!

Stephen Fry reads Douglas Adams. This is perfect!

Having Stephen Fry read the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is as brilliant as the twinkle in Zaphod Beeblebrox's eye. Fry is perfect as Arthur Dent, who finds himself a reluctant galactic hitchhiker, as Ford Prefect, carefree traveller through the stars, and as Zaphod Beeblebrox, creator of the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster and President of the Universe. There is not a single flaw in Fry's narration.

Douglas Adams' classic novel retains all its wit, sparkle and insight as an audiobook, and this story will enjoy repeated listenings, time and time again. Buy this audiobook, enjoy it, and enjoy it over and over again. The only flaw in the ointment is that Fry hasn't recorded all the books in the series, but Martin Freeman (who played Arthur Dent in the recent film) is well up to the task.

Wonderful Whimsical Adventure in Space

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audio book. I find that Stephy Fry performance gives the perfect tonality for Douglas Adams work.

What other book might you compare Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy to and why?

The closest would be the Eyre Affaire.

One of my favourite books of all time...

Best anthology ever. Listening to Steven Fry's stellar delivery of the first book was a fantastic way to reminisce.

What the heck!

Cannot believe it took me this long to read Douglas Adams. Listening to the audible version was a blast. Light on angst, heavy on the hilarious. Fantastic narration.

I have lived the story

The Voice of Stephen Fry suites this story perfectly! It lel me fall to a story and feel as I where there, near Arthur and Ford.

Very Funny Reading

Stephen Fry is a master story teller. kep me entertained throughout the book.

The writer did a very good job. Will now read the sequel.

Five stars a fantastic book brilliantly read.

Five stars, a fantastic book brilliantly read and performed.
So much detail in this book every time I listen to it I pick up on a new joke.