From days long past but in "modern" times, the humble cassette based "talking book or audiobook" can be very useful.
The most obvious listener would be those who have sight impairment BUT .... there is so much more you can do with a talking book
It can be very relaxing for the children (or adults) to lie back, close the eyes and become immersed in the story.
While checking these "talking books" I actually drifted off to sleep in the recliner and had to replay the stories a number of times! Listening to these tapes is a very effective way of relaxing and oh my, you REALLY get absorbed into the storyline.
The effectiveness of these tapes is largely determined by the narrator and their ability to project the characters to the listener ...
The narrator reading this story from Lewis Carroll is Alan Bennett.
Alan Bennett is an accomplished English playwright, author, actor and screenwriter, now age 89. This Leeds born gentleman projects a very "Queen's English" style of reading in the opening passages but has the flexibility to take on the voices of the characters in the stories very nicely.
LEWIS CARROLL - Alice In Wonderland & Alice Through The Looking Glass
Narrated by Alan Bennett
BBC Radio Collection
Cat# ZBBC 1013
1988
UK release
The special double clear cassette case is in good condition, no substantial damage except normal fair wear marks, scratches and one short crack to the rear of the case but nothing too dramatic. The inner insert is clean, has no writing and is undamaged.
Inspected the front pressure pads and side rollers, they are all fine. These are screw type clamshells so if something ever went awry with the tape inside e.g in need of re-lube or other maintenance, then you will can easily access inside the clamshell but be wary! If not careful you may easily have tape all over the room!
Test machine, my Nakamichi 480
Before playing, I have repacked the tapes (complete FF & RW cycles a couple of times), and then played both sides ENTIRELY - it is important to do this particularly when the tape has not been played for a LONG time so that the tape tension is nice and even.
There are no issues with the shells or tapes at all, nice smooth tape movement and no squeeks!
Audio is full range with no "drop outs" or high frequency loss across both tapes, on either side.
This is a really nice playback!
Total listening time is approximately 2 hours (30 minutes per side of each tape)
Be prepared to experience the strange adventures of Alice! In fact, VERY strange .... those who are familiar with the stories will know what I am talking about
TAPE 1: (Alice In Wonderland)
Side A: Down The Rabbit Hole, The Caucus Race The White Rabbit And The Caterpillar, Pig Pepper And The Hatter's Tea-Party
Side B: Pig Pepper And The Hatter's Tea-party (Conclusion), The Queen's Croquet And The Lobster Quadrille, Who Stole The Tarts?
TAPE 2: (Through The Looking Glass)
Side A: Into The Looking Glass Room, The Red Queen And A Railway Excursion, Tweedledum And Tweedledee
Side B: The White Queen A-Dresses Herself, Humpty Dumpty The Lion And The Unicorn, The Red Knight And The White Knight, Home Again
The following video interview gives you the opportunity to hear Alan's voice, although the video has no direct relation to this audiobook
