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

By: Douglas Adams

Narrated by: Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Full Cast

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 Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2005 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Audiobook Adapted from Another Medium

Short and sweet

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

Fun listen

This story overall is not quite as good as the earlier stories. The narration and overall production are excellent

gud

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

fun story

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

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.

Sorry for the incontinence 😆

make sure to finish the previous series of this 5 part trilogy. perhaps the greatest story ever directed.

Surprisingly Sad

Although I laughed out loud many times while listening to this, including once quite hysterically, the ending left me feeling rather sad! I won't say more, so as not to spoil it, but although (just with the last entry in this series) I have definitely read the book this radio drama was based on, "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish", I didn't remember anything about it besides the titular phrase and who said it. That allowed me to enjoy this audiobook without any expectations, which is nice when you KNOW you're going to enjoy it, you just don't know why yet!

It goes without saying that I recommend this to everyone following the radio series, as well as Hitchhiker's fans in general. I'll be moving onto the next entry with enthusiasm, and especially with the hope that it will help mend the heart that this one broke 💔

all BBC phases of this book are my fav

love it, love it, love it. I was able to borrow the H2G2 BBC Radio version on cassette from a teacher and feel in love with series when I was in high school and have been trying to obtain since then

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

Loved it

Loved it. The BBC version is outstanding. This is the fourth in the BBC series. The story is better then the third series in my opinion.