Book description
Lancelot Schaubert's Bell Hammers presents a meticulously structured picaresque chronicle, rooted in documented oral history from the author's grandfather. The narrative documents Remmy's eighty-year tenure in Bellhammer, Illinois, wherein his sustained pranks against the Texarco Oil Company-commencing with neighborly jests and escalating through poisoned wells, torched dog houses, and stolen tools-constitute a consequential resistance strategy. This resistance, initiated after a Texarco derrick collapse contaminates the neighborhood well, manifests as a deliberate escalation sequence culminating in the assembly of "merry men" carpenters under Remmy's leadership. Their objective: execute a "grand glorious jest" targeting Texarco's operational integrity, predicated on the assertion that "pranks and jokes don't got no consequences."
The audiobook's narration masterfully conveys the cadence of Remmy and Beth's witty banter, their marital dynamic framing the central conflict between community preservation and corporate exploitation. Beth's attempts to "fix" Remmy through church attendance contrast with Remmy's grandfather's instruction in strategic mischief, establishing the novel's thematic core: practical humor as a viable, non-violent protest mechanism. The narrative meticulously details the construction of a "paradise" centered on porch furniture, s'mores, and Branson trips-elements rendered vividly through the narrator's precise vocal delivery, which captures both the tenderness of domestic life and the escalating tension of corporate aggression.
Schaubert's legalistic prose-avoiding colloquial hyperbole-elevates the pranks from mere antics to a documented resistance methodology. The escalation chain (poisoned well → torched dog houses → cancelled contracts → eminent domain) is presented as a logical, cause-and-effect progression, devoid of sentimentality. The narrator's tone remains consistently measured, allowing the inherent absurdity of the "siege" against Texarco-where two hundred soda bottles become symbolic projectiles-to resonate with gravity. The audiobook's strength lies in this tonal precision; the narrator's delivery of lines like "We need the world's greatest prank" carries the weight of a strategic manifesto, not a frivolous whim.
Ultimately, Bell Hammers transcends its premise through its structural rigor. The narrative does not merely recount pranks but dissects their tactical function within a community under siege, making the "merry men" collective a compelling socio-economic counterpoint to corporate extraction. The audiobook format amplifies this by embedding the rhythm of community life-the banter, the shared labor, the escalating stakes-into every spoken word, transforming a regional feud into a universally resonant study of resistance through wit.
Abyss Tamer
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Universe Bullet
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧
TulipCake
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. 🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚
EchoEnigma
With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
Black Walnut
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
ZenaCake
Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
SunnySnap
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience.
Eerie Mizzen
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
Marigold Loot
Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! 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.
Red Heroine
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
Wonder Lady
This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
Easy Sweep
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Dahlia Bumble
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
Sweetness
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible.
Biscuit Meg
With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
ButterQuest
The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. 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.
Digital Moonshine
📚 Embracing reading in the digital age – this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. 📱🎉 CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
DreamDiver
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Bug Fire
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Sky Trinity
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
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