Book description
A millennial turned magical girl must combat climate change and credit card debt in this delightful, witty, and wildly imaginative ode to magical girl manga.Twenty-nine, depressed, and drowning in credit card debt after losing her job during the pandemic, a millennial woman decides to end her troubles by jumping off Seoul's Mapo Bridge.But her suicide attempt is interrupted by a girl dressed all in white--her guardian angel. Ah Roa is a clairvoyant magical girl on a mission to find the greatest magical girl of all time. And our protagonist just may be that special someone.But the young woman's initial excitement turns to frustration when she learns being a magical girl in real life is much different than how it's portrayed in stories. It isn't just destiny--it's work. Magical girls go to job fairs, join trade unions, attend classes. And for this magical girl there are no special powers and no great perks, and despite being magical, she still battles with low self-esteem. Her magic wand . . . is a credit card--which she must use to defeat a terrifying threat that isn't a monster or an intergalactic war. It's global climate change. Because magical girls need to think about sustainability, too.Park Seolyeon reimagines classic fantasy tropes in a novel that explores real-world challenges that are both deeply personal and universal: the search for meaning and the desire to do good in a world that feels like it's ending. A fun, fast-paced, and enchanting narrative that sparkles thanks to award-nominated translator Anton Hur, A Magical Girl Retires reminds us that we are all magical girls--that fighting evil by moonlight and winning love by daylight can be anyone's game.Translated from the Korean by Anton Hur
About the Author
Park Seolyeon was born in Cheorwon, South Korea. She made her debut by winning the journal Silcheon Munhak's New Author Prize and received the 2018 Hankyoreh Literary Award for her novel The Woman Who Climbed on the Roof. Her works includes the novels Martha's Job and The Shirley Club, as well as the short-story collections Your Mom's the Better Player and Me, Me, Madeline. She is the recipient of the 2023 Yi Sang Literary Prize and the 2021 Munhakdongne Young Writers Award. She lives in Seoul and writes in a variety of forms and genres, with a focus on gender and labor.
Drift
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
DeathDancer
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Prone
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineβgood narration, decent storyβbut it didnβt leave a lasting impression. If youβre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Shy Warrior
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Wiccan Thunder
π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
Rook
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Screwtape
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric.
Gamer Bean
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
StarZen
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Miss Nova
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
Purity Catnip
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Lord Theus
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Feral Cookie
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Vortex
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Redneck Giorgio
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Classy Dancer
π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Apex
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me!
Bad Princess
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
New York Winder
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide.
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