Book description
A visionary story of three generations of artists whose search for meaning and connection transcends the limits of life How do we relate to--and hold--our family's past? Is it through technology? Through spirit? Art, poetry, music? Or is it through the resonances we look for in ourselves? In Artificial, we meet the Kurzweils, a family of creators who are preserving their history through unusual means. At the center is renowned inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil, who has long been saving the documents of his deceased father, Fredric, an accomplished conductor and pianist from Vienna who fled the Nazis in 1938. Once, Fred's life was saved by his art: an American benefactor, impressed by Fred's musical genius, sponsored his emigration to the United States. He escaped just one month before Kristallnacht. Now, Fred has returned. Through AI and salvaged writing, Ray is building a chatbot that writes in Fred's voice, and he enlists his daughter, cartoonist Amy Kurzweil, to help him ensure the immortality of their family's fraught inheritance. Amy's deepening understanding of her family's traumatic uprooting resonates with the creative life she fights to claim in the present, as Amy and her partner, Jacob, chase jobs, and each other, across the country. Kurzweil evokes an understanding of accomplishment that centers conversation and connection, knowing and being known by others. With Kurzweil's signature humanity and humor, in boundary-pushing, gorgeous handmade drawings, Artificial guides us through nuanced questions about art, memory, and technology, demonstrating that love, a process of focused attention, is what grounds a meaningful life.
Hella Fella
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Swing Setter
I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Acid Gosling
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
LoreLoomer
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. 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! Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Dandelion
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Blade
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Runway Darling
This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. 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. 📚🎧
180
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Sir Squire
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
The Beekeeper
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience.
Killer Grenade
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience.
Fist Wizard
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly.
German Coach
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Hog Butcher
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Accidental Genius
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. 🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳 I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Lumberyard
ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
Fast Draw
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits – it's a game-changer. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼
Mother Hen
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Esquire
I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Swerve
This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time.
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