Book description
Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Poppy War “Absolutely phenomenal. One of the most brilliant, razor-sharp books I've had the pleasure of reading that isn't just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one; one that grabs colonial history and the Industrial Revolution, turns it over, and shakes it out.” -- Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of BrassFrom award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel, a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal retort to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire.Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel.Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire’s quest for colonization.For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide…Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?
About the Author
Rebecca F. Kuang is the #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the Poppy War trilogy, Babel: An Arcane History, and Yellowface. Her work has won the Nebula, Locus, Crawford, and British Book Awards. A Marshall Scholar, she has an MPhil in Chinese Studies from Cambridge and an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from Oxford. She is now pursuing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale, where she studies diaspora, contemporary Sinophone literature, and Asian American literature.
Frosty Sunshine
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on.
Moon Orchid
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧 🚗 Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures – audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! 🚗📖
Iron Jesus
The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Are Ess Tee
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
QuantumQuill
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Lightweight
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. 📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜 ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Tacklebox
🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Ladysmith
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable! Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Candy Butcher
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
NoiseCake
💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Neophyte Believer
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
NecroBull
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. 👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Free Ham
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Gbbledgoodk
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free.
Mr. Spy
🚗📖 On-the-go listening has never been smoother – this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. 🚗📚 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Gro
🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚
DreamDasher
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
Slint FUBAR
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Nola
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams!
Spellbinder
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠
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