Book description
This audiobook adaptation of John Walker's Artifact: Old Man's Comeback delivers a meticulously crafted narrative experience that transcends conventional military fiction. The protagonist, Raymond "Flip" Kinnely, a veteran soldier whose post-military existence is confined to janitorial duties at a high-security military contractor, is thrust into a high-stakes moral quandary upon discovering an otherworldly artifact and a prisoner facing imminent interrogation. The narrative's power resides in its unflinching exploration of ethical compromise, rendered with surgical precision through the audiobook's immersive production.
The narrator's vocal timbre masterfully conveys Flip's seasoned gravitas, his internal conflict rendered palpable through subtle shifts in cadence during pivotal scenes-particularly when he confronts the dilemma of abandoning an innocent to torture or challenging his ruthless employers. The pacing, notably deliberate during the compound's lockdown sequences, amplifies tension without resorting to melodrama, allowing the listener to absorb the weight of each decision. Crucially, the audiobook elevates the prose by translating written descriptions of Flip's "quiet twilight" existence into an auditory texture that resonates with profound melancholy, contrasting sharply with the artifact's unsettling, almost sentient presence.
Walker's thematic focus on age as both a liability and a strategic asset is rendered with uncommon nuance. The narrative does not merely posit Flip's "courage to defy the odds" as a trope but meticulously dissects the physical and psychological toll of such defiance, grounding the climax in tangible realism. The audiobook's production further enhances this by employing strategic silence during moments of reflection-such as when Flip contemplates his janitorial routine versus the artifact's implications-creating a palpable sense of internal reckoning.
Critically, the adaptation avoids the pitfalls of over-explaining, trusting the listener to engage with the artifact's mystery and the prisoner's cryptic plea. This restraint is a narrative strength, particularly in the audiobook format, where auditory suggestion often proves more potent than exposition. The conclusion, while not resolving all questions, delivers a satisfying catharsis through Flip's quiet, resolute action, affirming that experience, not youth, is the true catalyst for change.
This audiobook transcends its genre by prioritizing psychological authenticity over action spectacle. It is not merely a story about a soldier's comeback but a profound meditation on responsibility in an era of institutional corruption. The narration's structural precision-aligning pauses with thematic beats, vocal resonance with emotional shifts-ensures the listener remains fully engaged in every moral calculus. For audiences seeking literary depth within a suspenseful framework, Artifact: Old Man's Comeback is an indispensable auditory experience. It reaffirms that the most compelling battles are often fought within, not against, the self.
Mule Lock
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PixelPathfinder
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WanderWord
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Plum Moon
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Killer Curio
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Tweety
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Dance Cannon
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K-9
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Twitch
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Iron Butterfly
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Cosmo
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Pepper Legs
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MeeP
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DreamWeaver
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ByteBard
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ManBreaker
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Z-Boy
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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