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.

14 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.

8 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.

6 people found this helpful

love this

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

4 people found this helpful

The narrator should stick to tv comedy

It’s an unfortunate decision of narrator that makes this funny and interesting book a tedious listen. The experience is somewhat reminiscent of listening to a parent reading a bedtime story. The desire to make it interesting and fun is there but not the skill to actually make it so.

1 person found this helpful

Disappointing.

Having been a big fan of Hitchhikers Guide. series I was hoping for similar quirky humour.
Whilst there are some interesting moments I generally found the story rather boring. I confess I lost track of where it was going about half way in. A real struggle to finish but at least I did finish the book. Not sure on whether I will check out the other Dirk Gently stories.

1 person 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

Great writer and excellent narration

Recommended for fans and newcomers.Great writer and excellent narration . Looking forward to the next instalment.

Confusing but perseverance will be rewarded !

Difficult to follow so not a casual background listen but superbly written and narrated with some laugh out loud moments