The Hike

By: Drew Magary

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

“The Hike just works. It’s like early, good Chuck Palahniuk. … Magary underhands a twist in at the end that hits you like a sharp jab at the bell. … It’s just that good.”—NPR.org

“A page-turner. … Inventive, funny. … Quietly profound and touching.”—BoingBoing

From the author of The Night the Lights Went Out and The Postmortal, a fantasy saga unlike any you’ve heard before, weaving elements of folk tales and video games into a riveting, unforgettable adventure of what a man will endure to return to his family

When Ben, a suburban family man, takes a business trip to rural Pennsylvania, he decides to spend the afternoon before his dinner meeting on a short hike. Once he sets out into the woods behind his hotel, he quickly comes to realize that the path he has chosen cannot be given up easily. With no choice but to move forward, Ben finds himself falling deeper and deeper into a world of man-eating giants, bizarre demons, and colossal insects.

On a quest of epic, life-or-death proportions, Ben finds help comes in some of the most unexpected forms, including a profane crustacean and a variety of magical objects, tools, and potions. Desperate to return to his family, Ben is determined to track down the “Producer,” the creator of the world in which he is being held hostage and the only one who can free him from the path.

At once bitingly funny and emotionally absorbing, Magary’s novel is a remarkably unique addition to the contemporary fantasy genre, one that draws as easily from the world of classic folk tales as it does from video games. In The Hike, Magary takes listeners on a daring odyssey away from our day-to-day grind and transports them into an enthralling world propelled by heart, imagination, and survival.

©2016 Drew Magary (P)2025 Recorded Books

The only hike I’ll recommend

I enjoyed the narration and the story and I need some more words for this review.

Surprising depth

Love the vibe of this book and the pace. This book is one of my favorites to recommend.

Wow

This was just absolutely wonderful. Everything connected even at times you thought “well what does this have to do with it.” Just wow

Excellent story

Great story that takes you on a fantastical hike through one man's life. I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise.

What a ride

I’m not gonna spoil anything because the journey is absolutely worth it. And apparently I need a few more words.