Book description
Wine and dine with Victorian London's literati in a heatwave in one of the first ever group biographies, introduced by Francesca Wade (author of Square Haunting).Though she loved the heat she could do nothing but lie on the sofa and drink lemonade and read Monte Cristo ...'Never bettered.' Guardian'Brilliant.' Julian Barnes'Wholly original.' Craig Brown'A pathfinder.' Richard Holmes'Extraordinary.' Penelope LivelyJune 1846. As London swelters in a heatwave - sunstroke strikes, meat rots, ice is coveted - a glamorous coterie of writers and artists spend their summer wining, dining and opining.With the ringletted 'face of an Egyptian cat goddess', Elizabeth Barrett is courted by her secret fiancé, the poet Robert Browning, who plots their elopement to Italy; Keats roams Hampstead Heath; Wordsworth visits the zoo; Dickens is intrigued by Tom Thumb; the Carlyles host parties for a visiting German novelist and suffer a marital crisis. But when the visionary painter Benjamin Robert Haydon commits suicide, they find their entwined lives spiralling around the tragedy . . .One of the first-ever group biographies, Alethea Hayter's glorious A Sultry Month is a lively mosaic of archival riches inspired by the collages of the Pop Artists. A groundbreaking feat of creative non-fiction in 1965, her portrait of Victorian London's literati is just as vivid, witty and enticing today.'Elegant Hayter more or less invented the biographical form which is a close study of a brief period in the life of an individual or a group . . . A rigorous scholar [with] an artist's eye.' A. S. Byatt'Hayter's clever, innovative book turned a searchlight on a time, a place, a circle of people; it has surely inspired the subsequent fashion for group biographies.' Penelope Lively'Nothing I've ever read has flung me so immediately into those streets, that weather, that period. Hayter never forgets that people want stories, that lives are stories.' Margaret Forster'Hayter could take a tiny chip of life [and] find within it the seeds of a whole existence.' Richard Holmes'A pioneer . . . Beautifully written vignettes . . . Immaculate scholarship and intense readability.' Jonathan Bate'Outstanding . . . A small masterpiece.' Anthony Burgess'A brilliant recreation of London literary life in 1846, which is highly original in its form and narrative cross-cutting.' Julian Barnes
Hella Fella
This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient.
Flyswat Briggs
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning.
Bitmap
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Mr. Spy
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Lumberyard
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption.
Ex0tic
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting.
Lskeee
I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Milan Call Back
🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Hemlock
Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Miss Murder
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧
42nd Street
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Coldy
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Master Jetson
💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠 Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Morbid Sugar
📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Sw00sh
Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Chip Queen
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment.
Station WMD
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Baked ZD
⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Alpha
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Shady Prairie
📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
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