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
Betty Cricket
🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Spider Fuji
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
Jo Jo Spooky
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Twin Blaze
ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Combo Saw
🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧
Mr. Thanksgiving
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Prez Dog
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality.
White Swan
I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Texas Butterfly
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks.
Sky Dahlia
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! 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.
Sherwood Gladiator
ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
Troubadour
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. 🎧 Audiobooks anywhere, anytime – this app's convenience is unbeatable! 🌟📚 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Bug Fire
👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 Organization made simple – this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. 📖📱 The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Twister Hero
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities.
Psycho Thinker
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion.
Toolmaker
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. 🎧 Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app – pure listening pleasure! 📚🔥 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
Spitfire
🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Rando Tank
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Show Off
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Trixie Doodle
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
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