Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Through the Looking-Glass (Version 5 dramatic reading)
- Author: Lewis Carroll
- Narrator: LibriVox Volunteers
- Length: 03:09:52
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 05/01/2015
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction & Literature, Classics, Classics
- ISBN13: SABLIB9787244
As someone who has spent countless hours on the road, I’ve come to cherish the companionship of audiobooks. They transform long drives and unfamiliar landscapes into intimate storytelling sessions. Recently, I revisited Lewis Carroll’s *Through the Looking-Glass (Version 5 dramatic reading)*, narrated by the talented LibriVox Volunteers, and it reminded me of the magic that unfolds when a classic is brought to life through voices that breathe new dimension into its characters. This audiobook is not just a reading—it’s a performance, a journey, and a delightful puzzle all at once.
Carroll’s sequel to *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* takes us through the mirror into a world where logic is reversed, time is fluid, and language is both a tool and a trickster. The story unfolds like a chess game, with Alice moving from pawn to queen across a surreal landscape. The themes of identity, language, and time resonate deeply, especially for someone like me who’s always been fascinated by how cultures and individuals navigate these concepts. Listening to this audiobook, I was reminded of my time in Oaxaca, where storytelling was a communal act, and words carried layers of meaning beyond their surface. Carroll’s playful manipulation of language feels like a literary version of those evenings, where every phrase was a doorway to another world.
The LibriVox Volunteers’ narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. The dramatic reading format, with multiple voices for different characters, adds depth and texture to the experience. The Red Queen’s imperious tone, the White Knight’s gentle bumbling, and Alice’s curious innocence are all rendered with care and nuance. It’s a reminder of how powerful oral storytelling can be—how a voice can evoke emotion, humor, and wonder. Listening to this audiobook, I felt like I was sitting in a cozy room, surrounded by a troupe of actors bringing the story to life.
However, the audiobook is not without its challenges. The varying audio quality, typical of volunteer-driven projects, can be a bit jarring at times. Some voices are crystal clear, while others have a faint echo or background noise. But for me, these imperfections added a certain charm, a reminder of the human effort behind the project. It’s like listening to a live performance where the occasional stumble only makes the experience more authentic.
Carroll’s exploration of reversed logic and fluid time is particularly striking. In the Looking-Glass world, everything is a mirror image of reality, and the rules we take for granted are turned upside down. This theme resonates with my travels, where I’ve often encountered cultures and perspectives that challenge my assumptions. The audiobook captures this sense of disorientation and discovery beautifully, making it a perfect companion for anyone who enjoys pondering the nature of reality.
Compared to *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland*, *Through the Looking-Glass* feels more structured and thematically complex. The chessboard narrative adds a layer of strategic symbolism, and the characters Alice encounters—like Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, and the Jabberwock—are rich with meaning. The audiobook’s multi-voice format enhances these encounters, making each character distinct and memorable.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, wordplay, or philosophical musings, this audiobook is a must-listen. It’s also a fantastic introduction to Carroll’s work for younger listeners, though I’d recommend having a physical copy handy to fully appreciate the chessboard structure and the whimsical illustrations. And the best part? It’s free, thanks to LibriVox’s commitment to making literature accessible to all.
Listening to *Through the Looking-Glass* was like stepping into a dream—one where logic is fluid, language is playful, and the journey is as important as the destination. It reminded me of why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place: the way it transports us, challenges us, and connects us to something greater than ourselves.
With literary appreciation, Marcus Rivera
Marcus Rivera
