Advantages: Work of art, I personally liked it more on paper. Disadvantages: If you are more of a TV person then watch the series, it is equally as good as the paper version.
Talking Heads is a collection of monologues (plays consisting of one character speaking) that is easy to read, humorous and the characters are so endearing.
Bennett has a way of making sympathetic features of a character into something hilarious. There was Maggie the vicar's wife who kept drinking all the Holy Communion wine from the cupboard, and then went on to having an affair with the shop owner. There's another one with this woman who had a ... ...said' became quite repetitive, which was improved when read aloud. Some people prefer Talking Heads on screen than on paper, but I prefer it on paper because then I can get behind the character themselves. The TV series are very good too and the characters are beautifully acted out. ...
ReiKo 14.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Talking Heads - Alan Bennett
Advantages: Easy to read - better than the TV series. Disadvantages: None
This is much more accessible than one would imagine. It is a breeze to read and it's amazing how quickly one gets to the end of each chapter. I deliberately slowed my reading pace in order to prolong the enjoyment. If you've already seen the TV series, this is still a treat. Bennett proves that he can write from the mouths and hearts of people from all walks of life in these surprisingly witty, fun and tragic monologues. One minute you will find ... ...you will be crying. Through the twists and turns of the monologues Bennett reveals much more about the characters' real thoughts and backgrounds - much more than one could imagine those characters actually wishing the reader to know about them. Bennett's words in the mouths of the speakers also allow the reader to understand how third parties really see the speakers, however much those speakers are wallowing in self-denial or actively seeking to ...
alfievirgo 01.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Talking Heads - Alan Bennett
Advantages: good actors/actresses Disadvantages: not action-packed
Alan Bennet's famous "Talking Heads" monologues, of which there are twelve, really are astonishing. Being monologues, the depth of empathy one can have with the character in question is incredible. They are basically a number of short stories: some about everyday struggle or joy, and others about extraordinary occurrences. In every one, Bennet manages to make the characters sound so convincing that if you closed your eyes, you could almost become ... ...make up the lives of ordinary people, Bennet gives voice to a number of hitherto tabboo areas. He deals with mental illness, paedophilia, murder, adultery and old age in a refreshingly candid, yet sensitive way. Bennet demonstrates, in the best possible way, that everyday people can sometimes have the most remarkable and fascinating stories to tell. ...
comradeward 10.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Talking Heads - Alan Bennett
Advantages: the depth of the character, believable and each unique Disadvantages: None i can think of
Although the characters are finctional,grounded no doubt on Alan's past experience and chance meetings,They are colourful, bright and full of life. Each of the monologues are unique to the next, Bennett creates a world of his own allowing the reader to see through the eyes of his characters and gain an insight into their, more often than not, tragic lives. The alcoholic Vicar's wife, the lady with the dead husband, financially ruined yet continues, ... ...Alan Bennett's part or sheer coincedence, when you read this book, the colouful language, the minute discription, attention to detail.allows this book to touch your heart, allows you to identify with the characters and to become inveloped in the world that Alan Bennett created. A marvellous piece of literature ...
sophie_801 26.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Talking Heads - Alan Bennett
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