Book description
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE 2024 MARK TWAIN AMERICAN VOICE IN LITERATURE AWARDNamed a Best Book of the Year by Time, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Kirkus Reviews, Los Angeles Times, NPR, Oprah Daily, Real Simple, and VogueA riveting account of women’s lives on the margins of the Vietnam War, from the renowned winner of the National Book Award.American women—American wives—have been mostly minor characters in the literature of the Vietnam War, but in Absolution they take center stage. Tricia is a shy newlywed, married to a rising attorney on loan to navy intelligence. Charlene is a practiced corporate spouse and mother of three, a beauty and a bully. In Saigon in 1963, the two women form a wary alliance as they balance the era’s mandate to be “helpmeets” to their ambitious husbands with their own inchoate impulse to “do good” for the people of Vietnam.Sixty years later, Charlene’s daughter, spurred by an encounter with an aging Vietnam vet, reaches out to Tricia. Together, they look back at their time in Saigon, taking wry account of that pivotal year and of Charlene’s altruistic machinations, and discovering how their own lives as women on the periphery—of politics, of history, of war, of their husbands’ convictions—have been shaped and burdened by the same sort of unintended consequences that followed America’s tragic interference in Southeast Asia.A virtuosic new novel from Alice McDermott, one of our most observant, most affecting writers, about folly and grace, obligation, sacrifice, and, finally, the quest for absolution in a broken world.
Mule Skinner
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Tart Voodoo
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Squatch
🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Lady In Red
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. 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!
Ember Master
🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Pearl Girl
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening.
PixelPioneer
The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
FrankenGrin
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Scooby Did
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Most Wanted
🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Esquire
👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study.
Black Fantastic
Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Natural Gold
ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Wonder Lady
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Mirage
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Sneaky Lady
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
LerveDr
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
FireBrang
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! 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!
Little Drunk Girl
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
Prometheus
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
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