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.
Prof. Screw
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can 'read' while I work! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Shadow Gal
🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧 High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Marine Dre
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖
The Happy Jock
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
Bombay Shivers
💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Referee
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫 Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. 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. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Milan Call Back
Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
M8deUp
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Nutmeg Riot
💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Gingersnap Woman
This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze.
Grabber
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices.
CuriousCrafter
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. Simplifying my reading routine – this app's ease of use is remarkable. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
Blister
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. 🛌 Indulging in soothing bedtime stories – this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. 🌙📚 ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Twinkle
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
Pixie Soldier
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Boost Princess
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Arsenic Coo
I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Heaven Sent
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight.
Abiss
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. 🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 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.
Moon Solitaire
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
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