There’s a new kid on the block. Her name is Audrey, though she’s maybe not as young as I think she is, given the size of her classics library. But if you like classics, have an even greater penchant for annotated illustrated classics and have ever wondered how to combine that format with excellent audio narration, then I advise you popping over to Audrey and giving one of her guided audio books a shot. They’re not expensive, cheaper than an Audible subscription, and come complete with stacks of bonus material.

I started with Alice in Wonderland, primarily because I was in need of a pick-me-up, and there’s nothing like a classic piece of nonsense for that. Also the book’s expert guide is Simon Haisell with whom I slow-read War and Peace last year and am wolf-crawling through Mantell’s Cromwell Trilogy this. I, therefore, know how much heart and soul Simon puts into his projects … Alice in Wonderland is no different. The guided notes for each chapter are unlocked as each audio chapter is completed, but remain available thereafter. So you can learn more bit by bit or save it all up till the end and read a separate digital volume of literary background and analysis as is your wont, before enjoying a Spotify playlist of tunes inspired by Carroll’s colourful cast.

My “reading” of Alice coincided with the Audrey listen-along of the book which ran from 1-15 May. A separate Storygraph community was set up for participants to meet and chat about the book as we went along. Audrey doesn’t just want to sell audiobooks, “she” wants to create a non-toxic community for literature lovers to discuss their passion for classic literature. To that end there is are planned listen-alongs as Audrey challenges / supports her listeners to complete 12 or 4 audio-books in 2024. (Am tempted by the 4 option …)

Back to Alice. The full-cast narration is superb. Every character is narrated by individual narrators – 16 in total. Their voices therefore distinctive. Great fun, especially during the mad hatter’s tea-party!