Book description
A Lowcountry Christmas - An Audiobook Review
Mary Alice Monroe's A Lowcountry Christmas is a heart-warmingly layered tale that comes alive in audio form, thanks to the narrator's warm Southern cadence and subtle emotional nuance. From the first word, you're pulled into the coastal town of Miller McClellan's world-where the scent of saltwater mingles with the promise of holiday hope.
The story centers on a wounded war veteran, Taylor, and his younger brother, Miller, who are forced to confront the harsh realities of post-war life and financial hardship. Monroe paints their struggle with gentle honesty: Miller's wish for a dog is denied because the family can't afford it, and the return of a PTSD-stricken brother threatens to shatter their fragile holiday spirit. Yet the narrative is not merely about adversity; it's also about resilience, love, and the unexpected gifts that life offers.
What elevates this audiobook is the narrator's skillful portrayal of each character's voice. The narrator captures Miller's youthful frustration with a palpable edge, while Taylor's calm yet haunted tone reflects his inner battle. The voice of Thor, the large black Labrador/Great Dane service dog, is described with such vividness that you can almost feel the dog's reassuring presence in your ears.
Monroe's storytelling shines when she turns a simple act-Miller's attempt to fetch a Christmas tree with an axe-into a transformative adventure. The loss in the wild forest becomes a metaphor for the family's emotional journey, and the eventual reunion is both touching and cathartic. In true Monroe fashion, the ending feels "lovely and memorable," as praised by Luis Carlos Montalván, and it lingers long after the final word.
The audiobook pacing is impeccable: each chapter flows smoothly into the next, allowing listeners to absorb the emotional beats without feeling rushed. The subtle sound design-soft creaking of a boat docked at night, distant gull cries, and the gentle thrum of a heart beating in quiet moments-adds an immersive layer that deepens the listening experience.
For anyone looking for a holiday story that balances hardship with hope, A Lowcountry Christmas is a perfect pick. It reminds us that the true meaning of Christmas isn't found in material gifts but in the bonds we forge and the love we share. Monroe's narrative, amplified by an engaging narrator, turns this Southern tale into a timeless, soul-soothing listening experience that will resonate with listeners long after the credits roll.
Eye Devil
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Badger the Burglar
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Devine Melon
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 💪 Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier – this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. 💼📖 AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook!
Loot
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
Clover Dragon
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊
Starshine
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SpellTansy
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. 📱 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! 📚🔥 Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
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Kazmii
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Trash Master
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Napoleonic Haze
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Find It Girl
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience.
Voodoo Queen
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Indestructible Potato
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon – this app is my relaxation buddy! 🏖️🎧 Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Mt. Indiana
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
Most Wanted
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book – brilliant! This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
General Finish
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze.
MythMaker
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends.
Blue Despair
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Crossing Guard
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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