Advantages: Hilarious, Classic, Well-written, Well-acted, generally brilliant. Disadvantages: Not in a terribly convenient format for listening to one episode at a time
...tapes before I ever read the books, and I must say I’m glad I did so. Douglas Adams was a great writer, but his characterisations were inconsistent to say the least; he is said to have arbitrarily swapped lines of dialogue between characters to give them all some air time, and to make the jokes work. In some cases, without the different voices of the actors to let you know who’s speaking, it would be difficult to put a name to the character.
Having ... ...characters, but absolutely amazing for the use of subtle and intelligent humour throughout all the episodes, or “fits”, even to the end of the credits.
The basic concept is both incredibly simple and incredibly audacious: in the first episode, the main character’s house is unexpectedly demolished to make way for a new bypass. This however shortly fades into the background when the Earth itself is demolished, also to make way for a new bypass, though ...
Muswell 27.03.2004 (22.06.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Brilliant characters, clever humour, brilliantly read Disadvantages: Can't think of any, even though I listen to this over and over again
...this book, only listened to the tape. I have the tape of the first series, the radio 4 version, and although I have often considered reading the book, which we do own, the temptation to be lazy, lie back and enjoy the tape always won.
In September I wrote an opinion on Blackadder (TV) one of my other favourite comedies, and in fact there is a similarity between these two comedies. I may be confusing some people here as the storyline is completely ... ...before.
So enough about the wonderfulness of this book, and a bit about the actual storyline. We start our story in the middle of one normal Thursday, with our perfectly normal human Arthur Dent, who is in the middle of protesting against some bulldozers trying to knock down his house. The clever bit, the twist? Arthur Dents best friend Ford Prefect is in fact actually an alien from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelguese. Don’t ...
jeocar 19.12.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Utterly hilarious, everybody should own this Disadvantages: None at all
The story of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a fascinating one. I am sure that many people will remember the recent film, but this is in fact the fourth incarnation of the Guide. The series follows the adventures of Arthur Dent, the only human survivor after Earth is demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass.
It began life on radio, a crazy idea that Douglas Adams had while lying in a field in Europe on a hitchhiking tour and looking ... ...TV series, with most of the radio stars reprising their roles, and then became a book, and eventually five books, the infamous trilogy in five parts. Interestingly, they are all wildly different from each other, Adams believing that each new form had its own strengths and weaknesses that should be shown off.
Personally I have always found the radio series to be my favourite medium. I think that it is the purest and freshest. When it was first produced, ...
BenRowland 05.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Great, spaced-out fun Disadvantages: errr......
...radio play is one of the smartest and funniest around. Adams' largely plotless creation is full of ironic humour, as well as complete wierdness. The 'story' follows an earthman, Arthur Dent, who is rescued when the Earth is destroyed (to make way for a hyperspace Bypass) by his friend, Ford prefect, who turns out to be a hitchiking alien. What happens next is less of a story than an explosion in a wierness factory, with frequent interruptions from ... ...Guide To The Galaxy. Although the pace is fast, the events wacky, and the whole thing seems directionless, every chance remark by the characters,or seemingly pointless interjection by The Book does eventually get resolved. This means that as you progress throught it, the whole thing seems to reach some sort of identity in a way that is very complex and clever. If you have the stamina for this, it is incredibly entertaining. The books, too are well ...
loverice 04.07.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Like listening to the TV series. Funny, clever, good for all the family! Disadvantages: None I can think of.
...spine. I remembered watching the TV series as a kid, and I have vivid memories of the theme tune. This audio tape is almost identical to the TV series.
If you watched and loved the TV series, this portable piece of comic genius will not disappoint.
This CD is probably the most clever piece of science fiction - which isn't *science fiction* - I have ever heard. The story covers philosophy, religion, human nature, and digital watches, in such an ... ...to be an alien from the planet Beetlgeuse, and rescues him in the nick of time. The story continues by explaining that Ford is a reviewer, and is updating the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - a guide for anyone wishing to see the universe for less than 5 ulterian dollars a day. The story continues when Ford meets up with one of his brothers, who is currently President of the Universe, on their search for the answer to the ultimate question - Why ...
cs94njw 16.09.2005 (18.09.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: The files are small and fit on just two CDs Disadvantages: Quality of recording poor.
Having read the above reviews, I have noticed they are generic, and do not represent a review of the actual item shown. This is the MP3CD edition, and while it therefore offers a cheap alternative to the full sets, and is squeezed onto two CDs, the encoding quality is appalling. I have dealt with MP3s for a long time now, and the quality, although often not as good as CDs, is certainly comparable when it comes to speech and sound effects, and is ... ...Hitch hiker's and jumped at the chance to replace my tired, worn tapes. However, when I listened to the episodes, there is a huge (and I mean huge) amount of pooing and hissing in the encoding, so much so that I could no longer listen. It is by far the worst piece of commercial encoding I have EVER heard, and coming from the BBC, I can only assume it is to make the audience buy the (overpriced) boxset. Do NOT buy this MP3 edition.
In conclusion, ...
jezmund 01.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Let your mind drift to someplace far away. Disadvantages: Bit mind bogglingly weird. (But thats not necessarily bad.)
...that Douglas Adams writes. However the more I read the more I grew to enjoy the book. If you are looking for a serious book this certainly isn't it, but if you are looking for a humourous release from the day to day norm then this is definately a book for you. Douglas Adams creates a universe where pretty much anything can happen (and it usually does), some people would describe this book as science fiction, but i think it is glorious 'science nonsence'. ... ...ingenious and clever book. The plot although clever and indepth is somewhat unnecessary as the indivdual situations and the characters themselves carry on the fun. That characters are well designed for a book of this nature. Zaphod beeblebrox (well named) is a crazy fun loving character whose past is a bit murky and adds an extragant touch to the otherwise straight laced Arther Dent. The addition of certain alien species and superb monologues, from ...
asey16 18.04.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Laugh out loud funny, superbly read, entertaining, genius comedy writing Disadvantages: Not the best quality
For years I had heard the name Douglas Adams, but never had any idea as to what he wrote, I just had him down as another sci-fi writer, a genre which, to be honest, doesn't generally appeal to me. He was recommended to me by an ex of mine, who had an excellent sense of humour, as 'the funniest author you'll ever read.' I was still doubtful as to the truth behind this statement, until one day, I heard him playing this CD in the office. I didn't know ... ...stictches. I asked him what the hell this crazy CD was he was playing, when he announced (with a huge 'I told you so' grin) that it was in fact, The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy.
From there on I was addicted! I listened to the whole thing as I washed the dishes, on the way to work, anywhere I could! The genius behind this writing is the delightful way an hysterical line takes you completely by surprise. The story is read in a very matter of fact ...
dangergran 09.06.2005 (27.10.2005)
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Advantages: sit back, relax, let the madness unfold, refold, become an origami penguin, then do something else... Disadvantages: sadly cannot be paid for in un-earthly moneyage!
The story is an action pact romp through space and time which fuses python style humour with alice in wonderland style philosophy. The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy in audio book form really is an absolute must hear!
Basic plot; Our anti hero Arthur Dent is awoken one morning to fin his house is about to be demolished. Soon after this revelation he also discovers that his best freind 'Ford Prefect' desn't infact come from Guildford, but is actually ... ...iformed by his freind that the earth has just been obliterated from the face of the galaxy. Arthurs reaction to all of the above?: This must be a thursday, I never could get the hang of thursdays...'. I f you a fan of Monty Python/Terry Prtatchett style humour you will not be too phased by the general lack of real structure to the plotline and will be very amused by this audio book. Buy it, sit back in a deck chair or similarly appropriate yet unsuitable ...
artybloke 14.07.2004 (15.07.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Funny in an in depth way Disadvantages: Books 3 and 4 are significantly weaker
...reputation as a simply funny. The trilogy is (of course) consists of 5, of wich i personally feel that the books three and four are a rank 4 on Ciaos scale.But theres more romance and Marvin in those so...
I've giggled til i cried on a public bus,been more prone to philosophical ponderings then before,and generally feel a lot better after i every time i read it. 6 times sofar...It is a book i very much would like to recommend,with all the fighting ...
kyrion 28.02.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Able to relax almost sleep and drift away with the story Disadvantages: Over all to quickly
...You get this story from the view point of one of the main characters specifically Arthur Dent.
Withouit giving the story away to those that don't know, he starts his day with what he thinks is the worse possible problem, a bulldozer ready to wreck his house.
Enter Ford Prefect, who perswades the foreman to lie down in front of his own bulldozer and then takes Arthur still in his derssing gown! Downm the pub.
Several pints and lots of peanuts later ...
Jabber_tango 31.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Complete all in one place, allows u to get your head around the abstract ideas. Disadvantages: Radio differs from book and audio ... as author made several re-writes
...Deviating from the subject a bit, I actually use to go to 'Café Swiss' in Richmansworth (mentioned in the book, where the second worst poem was written). On the walls a panorama of the Swiss alps, set on two levels and the only café in rickmansworth at the time, sadly closed years ago now. Anyway jam-packed with really daft characters that keep popping up in unlikely adventures, such as the 'Vogons' and 'Marvin the paranoid android' spring to mind. ...
seamonsterman 26.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: it is a interesting audio book and angood listen on the train Disadvantages: takes a while to get into
...wasnt disappointed. I havent seen the film yet but i will definately recommend it to get a wider look at the book. overall its a good audiobook. this audio book by douglas adams is compeling. this is guys trying to find the knowledge in the universe. normal guy wakes up and things start happening to him, which somone happen to be writing about. I would recommend this to friends has a matter of fact i have, only to two but getting there. in my opinion ...
krisoy52001 10.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
Advantages: Can enjoy it with your eyes closed! Disadvantages: Changes your own view of the characters.
Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy is a fast paced and witty story. This will change your view of life as you know it and turn it into something more exciting with vast amounts of potential. The exciting story of Arthur Dent and some of his seemingly meaningless adventures through space, including becoming the world renowned sandwich maker, will make you smile, laugh and cry at the same time. Don't miss this special story that makes all other books look ...
thumbmaster2 31.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
...to buy. I has all the essential features with an excellent. The product is a must have, it is the perfect product if you want value for money. If you want something that is in a decent price range, then i must recommend this product to you. It is extremly good value for money and I don't think you will find a better product. It is the type of product that will last you years, it has some supurb features and the specification of this product is excellent. ...
kazandmatt 29.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: not helpful Review of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Audio Book) - Douglas Adams
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