Audiobook – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
>> Saturday, March 7, 2009
Genre: Fiction
Series: #1 in the Hitchhiker’s series
Publication Date: 1979
Read by: Stephen Fry
Oh my goodness. How have I missed out on this one? I can’t believe I haven’t read this before now, but I’m so glad I finally did and I just loved listening to it as an audiobook. Before I was even finished I’d gone to the library website and requested the audiobook versions of the rest of the series. I love a book that makes me laugh out loud when I’m in the car all by myself driving around town (my prime listening time).
Arthur Dent is protesting the destruction of his home in order to build a new bypass when something a bit more important happens. The Earth is destroyed in order to build a new galactic bypass. Only moments before the Earth is obliterated, Arthur is saved by his friend Ford Prefect. It turns out that Ford is an alien living undercover on Earth for the past 15 years. He was working on updating the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and expanding the section about Earth when he got stuck and unable to hitch a ride anywhere else.
Then the really strange stuff starts happening. A two headed President of the Galaxy, a stolen spaceship, a depressed robot, and a girl who’s oddly familiar.
This was part science fiction, part comedy, part fable, and all fun. Originally written as a radio broadcast, it lends itself perfedtly to an audio version.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series, but I have to wait for them to be returned to the library.
Series: #1 in the Hitchhiker’s series
Publication Date: 1979
Read by: Stephen Fry
Oh my goodness. How have I missed out on this one? I can’t believe I haven’t read this before now, but I’m so glad I finally did and I just loved listening to it as an audiobook. Before I was even finished I’d gone to the library website and requested the audiobook versions of the rest of the series. I love a book that makes me laugh out loud when I’m in the car all by myself driving around town (my prime listening time).
Arthur Dent is protesting the destruction of his home in order to build a new bypass when something a bit more important happens. The Earth is destroyed in order to build a new galactic bypass. Only moments before the Earth is obliterated, Arthur is saved by his friend Ford Prefect. It turns out that Ford is an alien living undercover on Earth for the past 15 years. He was working on updating the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and expanding the section about Earth when he got stuck and unable to hitch a ride anywhere else.
Then the really strange stuff starts happening. A two headed President of the Galaxy, a stolen spaceship, a depressed robot, and a girl who’s oddly familiar.
This was part science fiction, part comedy, part fable, and all fun. Originally written as a radio broadcast, it lends itself perfedtly to an audio version.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series, but I have to wait for them to be returned to the library.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
12 comments:
I keep thinking how I would really like to reread this, but I never get around to it! It's a fun series, though!
I just read about this one on a YA list and was thinking that I might have to check it out. I definitely am going to now. Thanks for the review!
Can't believe you hadn't read this before or I would have told you to do so!
Now I've got to re-read it because it was such fun.
I'm so glad you listened to this!!
Kailana: I'm keeping it on my ipod. The Hubster read it years ago, so I'm thinking we'll listen to it together this summer on vacation.
Samantha: it's a whole lot of fun. I can really recommend the audio version.
~C: You shoulda told me!!
Bookfool: it was just such fun. I can't wait till the rest of the series is available at the library to put on my ipod.
I really want to read this one someday. I never did see the movie adaptation either.
I read this several years ago and thought it was pretty good. The audio sounds like a winner! Might be good for a roadtrip - we're driving to St. Louis next month and this sounds perfect.
Ladytink: I've heard the movie is not that great. After reading the book I'm pretty sure I'd be disappointed in a movie adaptation.
Les: I'm keeping it on my ipod so that The Hubster and I can listen to it again next time we take a road trip. He read it ages ago and will enjoy listening to it again. The version I have is read by Stephen Fry and I really liked it. The rest of the series that I'm on the waiting list for at the library is read by Martin Freeman (different audiobook publisher). I'll be curious to see how he compares to Fry.
I bought this for my sister for Christmas and she started it tonight. I haven't read it myself but had heard it was clever so I passed it to her. I hope she's enjoying it (and I'm glad you did!) but I hadn't realized it was a series!
I may have accidentally committed myself to buying her the rest, if she enjoys this one!
I too need to re-read this. Douglas Adams is one of my favourites, and it's been far too long. So glad you enjoyed it!
This was recommended to me a looong time ago and I think (somewhere-gulp) I have a copy. I'll have to see if I can find it and give it a try. Thanks for the review! B.
Meg: yes - it's a series. It's often called a trilogy in 5 parts because 2 more books were published after the initial trilogy.
Nymeth: it's just such fun.
B: Oh give it a read soon. It's short. Hope you enjoy it!
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