Book description
Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty isn't just a coming-of-age story-it's a full sensory immersion, especially as an audiobook. Set in 1895, it follows Gemma Doyle, a 16-year-old reeling from her mother's suicide and shipped to a rigid English boarding school. What makes this novel shine in audio form is how the narrator-through subtle shifts in tone, pacing, and even silence-transforms Gemma's haunting visions and emotional isolation into something you feel in your bones. You don't just hear about her premonitions; you lean in as the voice drops to a whisper, making the moment feel unnervingly real.
The audiobook excels where prose alone might struggle: capturing the eerie atmosphere of Spence School. The creak of old floorboards, the hushed whispers of secret societies, the tension in Gemma's interactions with the school's elite-these details land with visceral impact when voiced. You hear the chill in her loneliness as she's ostracized, and the urgency in the mysterious Indian man's warnings. His dialogue, delivered with quiet intensity, avoids melodrama, making his role feel urgent rather than clichΓ©.
Bray's genius lies in balancing gothic mystery with raw teenage vulnerability. Gemma isn't a passive victim; she's grappling with guilt, identity, and the terrifying power of her own mind. The audiobook amplifies this. When she questions her sanity-"Was it my fault?"-the hesitation in the narrator's voice makes you sit up, feeling her doubt as your own. The spiritual elements, often tricky to convey, feel organic here. The audiobook's pacing slows during key scenes, letting the weight of a diary entry or a vision linger, so you absorb the stakes alongside Gemma.
What truly elevates this as an audio experience is how it avoids over-explaining. The narrator trusts the listener to piece together clues alongside Gemma, mirroring her own journey. You lean into the mystery as she does, hearing the unspoken tension between her and the girls who pull her into their world. The audiobook's strength is in its restraint-letting silence speak as loudly as dialogue, making the eventual revelations feel earned.
For readers aged 12 and up, this isn't just a story about ghosts or destiny. It's about finding your voice when the world tries to silence you. The audiobook format makes Gemma's internal struggle palpable, turning her fears and discoveries into something intimate, like a secret shared just for you. It's a rare adaptation where the medium enhances the message, proving that sometimes, hearing a story is the only way to truly live it.
Kazmii
πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
German Coach
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Silent
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Santa's Little Helper
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app.
Despair
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Gamer Bean
π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π
Zod
π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable.
Dangle
This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Heaven Sent
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest!
Gamer Bean
I'm addicted to this app β it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Hightower
π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π ListenBookβs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Twinkle
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
RiddleRanger
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Houston Rocket
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Old Regret
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
The Dude
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Zorkle Sporkle
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Canine Hannibal
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Ember Rope
π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
Demo Zero
I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience