Almost as good as the Douglas Adams' narration

I remember with great fondness the original reading of his own work by Douglas Adams, which I had on audio cassette. The 2 Dirk Gently stories highlight just how good an author Douglas Adams was, presenting you with a strange world full of surprising twists and turns and the startling consequences of people who relentlessly pursue their own versions of logic which are at odds with he world around them. I loved the idea that a Cambridge college could harbour an academic who had been alive since the reign of George the third and not take any particular notice of the fact. And I was intrigued by the character of Dirk Gently who seemed to live a life offset at an awkward angle so that he could never comfortably fit into the world around him, but as a consequence was capable of making sense of things which were incomprehensible to others. Stephen Mangan's narration is good, making the different characters easily identifiable, and its is infinitely better than the awful BBC dramatisation and Harry Enfield's narration. It isn't quite up to the standard of the original Douglas Adams narration, but it's not bad.

6 people found this helpful

A great story well told

I love this book, I actually have a first edition hardback signed by Douglas Adams in fact but I thought it’s time to have another read and looked to see if it was available on Audible. What a treat, being able to listen and Stephen Mangan is the perfect narrator. It’s funny listening to what was an enlightened authors take on technology 34 years ago compared with what’s actually happened these last 3 decades but Adams’ ideas and his stories still hold up very well. I’ve now downloaded the Long Dark Teatime of the Soul, also narrated by Mangan, can’t wait.

4 people found this helpful

Certainly different, probably very good

Very enjoyable and with the same mind bending plots as Hitch-Hickers Guide to the Galaxy. not to be confused with the TV series, this is totally different and much more enjoyable.

3 people found this helpful

love this

Brilliantly read by Stephen Mangan! Douglas Adam's classic brought truly to life. Can't recommend highly enough

3 people found this helpful

It understands the assignment.

It's Dougles Adams, if you're here because you like him then you're going to enjoy this series. I think he was a brilliant, creative and truly imaginative author and this follow's suit. If you're a newbie then hard to say, some people love him and some don't.

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant!

Thank you Stephen Mangan for bringing this book and it's amazing characters to life and making me smile and laugh.
A favourite book made better.

1 person found this helpful

A kooky offbeat sci-fi romp! Unusual but enjoyable.

I enjoyed this story, it’s got Douglas Adams humour in it, Is expertly narrated, and is staffed with enjoyable characters.

However, I felt like it was setting up for something bigger and grander than it’s actual ending, and felt some of the structural leaps the narrative took were clumsy, leaving a few loose ends but it was enjoyable none the less.

Perhaps more will be revealed in the sequel? I will now try it to find out!

No feeling it

I listened all the way through, had to keep replaying chapters but still I didn’t follow the plot, if there was one. Big fan of HHGTTG, though as a series found they continue to decline. I love random thought chains, sci fi insights and future predictions written time ago especially with humour, narrator performed great but strained to follow this and the end was equally snoozey. Mr Adam’s if you read this I’m sorry and you created a masterpiece just not with this. 😳

This book is amazing

Loved this book 💜 i listened to it within a few days and didn't want to stop.

Well I never

That was unusual. I was familiar with the tv show, which is nothing like this. Good little story in its own way, too rambling though. Stuff that actually happens could take up maybe 30 minutes. Maybe if I listen to the sequel book it will be more like the tv show.