Book description
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Return of the Native opens with an evocative description of the bleak brooding Egdon Heath which is not only the setting for the book but also anticipates the dark tone of the novel. The native in the title is Clym Yeobright who is returning to the place where he grew up to settle and be a positive part of the community which was missing from his life in Paris.He falls in love with the tempestuous Eustacia Vye who dreams of passionate love and is dazzled by the idea of a life in Paris which would liberate her from the stifling claustrophobia she feels in Egdon. Marriage accentuates her restlessness and resolve to escape causing frustration, disappointment, betrayal and tragedy. Hardy provides a poetic compassion for both characters and creates powerful scenes heightening the dramatic tension and making this a special read.
Glyph
The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Noh Noh
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Golden Cougar
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. ๐ก Balancing learning and living effortlessly โ audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! ๐ง๐ซ Navigating audiobooks effortlessly โ this app's functionality is commendable.
Commando
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ๐ง Making housework more enjoyable โ audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. ๐งน๐ Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itโs a fun feature.
LifeRobber
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. ListenBookโs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
EchoEmissary
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. ๐ผ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives โ this app is my multitasking hero! ๐ป๐ Efficiency meets audiobooks โ this app's functionality is a true triumph.
Icy Avenger
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Eight Patrol
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy โ it's eye-opening. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient.
Green Scavenger
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Twine X
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere โ it's a reader's dream come true. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Gingersnap Woman
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. ๐ฅ Spicing up my routine with this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! โจ๐ Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch.
Springheel Jack
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodโwhat a creative addition! ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itโs so easy. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
FLAK Angel
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere.
Viceswerve
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Walking my way through exciting narratives โ this app makes exercise more fun! ๐๏ธ๐ง ๐ผ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation โ audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. ๐ป๐ Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ๐๐ง
FireBrang
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. ๐๏ธ๐ง Escaping to paradise with a beach read โ this app is my vacation in audio form! ๐๏ธ๐ Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ๐๐ง I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Emerald Goddess
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. Bravo to the creators of this app โ they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ๐๐ This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch.
RawSkills
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Juice Petite
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection โ it's a parenting win! Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education.
Sky Dahlia
๐ถ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! ๐ถ๐ ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. Iโm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Jester
I'm addicted to this app โ it's like having a library in my pocket. ๐ Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app โ it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ๐๐ฅ ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
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