The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Quandary Phase (Dramatized)

By: Douglas Adams

Narrated by: Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Full Cast

Length: 2 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Don't panic! The Hitchhiker's saga returns once again with a brand new full-cast dramatisation of So Long and Thanks For All the Fish, the fourth book in Douglas Adams's famous 'trilogy in five parts'. The Earth has miraculously reappeared and, even more miraculously, Arthur Dent has found it. Returning to his cottage after...well...ages, he falls in love with the girl of his dreams.

But Ford Prefect is onto something which might well burst Arthur's bubble. There is, after all, something very fishy about his girlfriend's feet, and what has happened to all the dolphins? Perhaps, at last, all will be revealed in God's Last Message to His Creation....

Simon Jones returns as Arthur, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford, and Stephen Moore as Marvin. William Franklyn is the Book, and there is a whole host of famous guest stars.

This extended edition features 30 minutes of material not heard on BBC Radio 4.

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.

©2005 BBC Audiobooks Ltd (P)2005 BBC Audiobooks Ltd

Critic Reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Audiobook Adapted from Another Medium

Getting Better

This is the fourth in the BBC Radio adaptations of Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series of books. Except that the first two BBC radio productions were the originals, and Adams wrote the first two HHG books based on the series. However, the third through fifth BBC radio adaptations are based on the three HHG books that Adams wrote after his first two books, but before the last three radio series. If that's not clear, consult any popular reference work on temporal causality.

To put this review in context, I ask that you read my Audible review of the previous BBC dramatization, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Tertiary Phase." Go ahead, I'll wait.

I see you're back. The "Quandary Phase" contains a four-episode radio series that's an adaptation of Adams' book "So Long and Thanks For All the Fish," the fourth book in the story of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

Let me ease any concerns you may have after reading another reviewers' comments on the "Tertiary Phase." I had no difficulties purchasing the "Quandary Phase" from Audible, and I live in the US.

The first two episodes in the BBC radio dramatization suffer from the same problems I mentioned in my review of the "Tertiary Phase": I feel that they're over-produced, with too many audio effects layered at once; and that they're too faithful to the written books for a radio production.

However, the second two episodes reverse both of those issues. Finally, the emphasis is on the characters talking to one another; Adams' wit and humor (or should it be "humour"?) can finally shine through. Also, the presentation is tailored for the radio; some plot elements are re-arranged and presented in a way that's better to suited for listening.

If I'd purchased this from the UK, as I did the "Tertiary Phase", I probably would have felt it wasn't work the extra expense. But at Audible's lower prices, I recommend it. Listen and enjoy.

Amazing Audio Drama. After ZBS, Meatball Fulton

I renewed my Audible account because the Audio Drama. being near 50 Years old, I love audio drama. Thank Audible! they are adding more and more audio drama. I would like to see some of the independent A.D. titles make it to Audible. Great product includes, We're Alive, Levitation Chronicles, and More ZBS/Meatball Fulton.

<3 Audible!

great cast in dramatization

this is a great cast and solid adaptation of the book so long and thanks for all the fish.
finally a voice to fenchurch.
some of the storylines are condensed but it flows great.
I now have the third, fourth, and fifth books dramatized

Short and sweet

Not as smooth as the earlier phases. However, still a great way to spend a few hours. Zany.

gud

not as good as the first three phases but still awesome
9. 5/10 towels 🙂

Good but a little confusing.

This is the first of the three that were books first and later adapted for radio.

This one, while I like the story, it is different. It takes place mostly on Earth.

It is a bit harder to follow as some of the episodes seem to be out of order, which made some of the story hard to follow.

Tickles the bones!

This is part four of five of the Hitchhiker's Guide. Just simply loved this entire series of the Hitchhiker's Guide, being the original BBC radio series.

fun story

fantastic fun working it's way to completeing the wrong worded trilogy the story's continue in the story line

So Long & Thanks for All the Fish

This is basically So Long and Thanks for All the Fish. Having said that it was amazingly done, including the shocking twist at the end. Once more Adams make me laugh and mourn in the same tale. Brilliant!

The mystery of the dolphins solved...

The fourth entry of the Hitchhiker's saga answers several questions, asks a few new ones, and (except for a completely wasted vignette about New York sewage water) is a satisfying penultimate addition to the adventures of Arthur Dent.

Does what the book doesn't & blends perfectly...

So Long & Thanks For All The Fish is quite a tough read but Dirk Maggs and his team have really slapped it into shape and made a very, very good and enjoyable version for our consumption.

Essentially the Earth that Arthur was rescued from (a few moments before it was destroyed by the Vogons) has popped back into existence again. Life on the planet is much the same as before with one major exception - the dolphins have gone.

The critical thing about Maggs' slapping is that he hasn't changed too much and it blends perfectly with all the other HGTTG audiobooks - you have listened to the others haven't you? For heavens sake don't start with this one otherwise your head will explode...probably!

The usual cast provide strong performances as usual and as this book features the character of Arthur Dent more than the others then it really gives Simon Jones a chance to stretch Arthur a little further than we've heard/seen before.

Jane Horrocks is fab as Fenchurch but I particularly enjoy Geoff McGivern's furniture wrecking scene and a nice cameo by David Dixon who played Ford Prefect in the BBC TV series of HGTTG.

Quality stuff...

fantastic

read the book. the dramatised version just as good. really enjoyable. not much needs to be said.

Excellent story let down by poor mixing

I have always enjoyed the Douglas Adams trilogy of hitchhikers guide and was very eager to get the dramas on Audible. Imagine my surprise and irritation therefore when I was able to enjoy the first three dramas in the series in full stereo sound yet the quandary and quintessential phases have only been mixed and mastered in mono. Not to be daunted I purchased the CDs and was pleasantly surprised that they are in full stereo so I can only imagine this is a problem with the audible production. I have raised this issue with customer services that I am told that the BBC will not represent a higher quality version of this recording so therefore I am urging them to do so so that we can get the full enjoyment from these dramas as they were meant to be heard.

brilliant

it is as brilliant and well produced as the other fase's.
i enjoyed every bit

worthy expansion on the originals

I enjoyed it. same characters, same feel, similar sound effects, interesting expansion on the story. worth a listen.

DONT PANIC If your a Thumb Hicker need I say more

This was a journey back in time .Fantastic look forward to the future so long and thanks for all the fish.

42

You never want it to end. :) It's brilliant and funny and the cast is superb. What more can you wish for?

Worst of them all.

Douglas Adams once said that, So Long and Thanks for all the Fish, was "his worst work" He wrote it during a low period, and didn't give it his best.
Well If that's how he write badly, he can do no wrong in my eyes.

It was a brilliant book, yes a turn away from the normal guide, but all the better for it. The pictures it painted were wonderful.
With such characters as, Fenchurch, Murray Bost Henson and Anji's stiffly primed work mate, made it a delight to listen too
The only problem I found with the book was that it wasn't long enough.

Corrupted file, unplayable

What disappointed you about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Quandary Phase (Dramatised)?

It's a good job I have the books as I have no idea what this audible version is like because it won't download due to the file being corrupted. I am hoping I can get a refund of this and all the other books in the HHG series as there's no point in not having one part of this epic five part trilogy missing from the set.

What will your next listen be?

Nothing, I am cancelling my audible account as soon as I get a refund

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I wouldn't know, the file didn't play

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The author