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 experience with a talking book
It can be very relaxing for you 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 sections of 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.
Then there is the story you are listening to, an example is this audiobook. If you have watched the film, listening to this abridged book version is quite a different experience. You make the visuals while listening to the story, instead of being fed the visuals in a film.
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 is Darren McGavin, a distinguished American theatre, film and television actor.
ROBERT LUDLUM - The Bourne Identity
Narrated by Darren McGavin
Bantam Audio Publishing
Cat# Unknown
(I cannot find any catalogue number or a barcode on the packaging or tapes)
1987
Manufactured in Italy
The special double clear cassette case is in very good condition, no substantial damage except normal fair wear marks, scratches and no cracks. The inner insert is clean, has no writing and is undamaged.
On both tapes I inspected the front pressure pads and side rollers, they are all fine. These are plastic welded clamshells so if something ever went awry with the tape inside e.g in need of re-lube or other maintenance, then you will not be able to "get inside" to maintain the tape, usually if you try to open this type of shell you will end up destroying the tape!
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 good "spoken word" playback which is easy to listen to ....
The set comprises 2x cassettes with a spoken word introduction to the contents of the side being played
Total listening time is approximately 3 hours (45 minutes per side of each tape)
Be prepared to experience The Bourne Identity "differently", I must say I found it difficult to get into "listening only" mode as I have watched the film many times so I had some preconceived ideas about how the story was to progress but after a while I "settled down" and enjoyed this version of the story. Listening to a story makes your imagination work much harder!
Now that I have, taken the photographs, inspected the tapes and listened to them, I have now sealed the package in clear plastic to maintain the condition while it waits for a new home.
