Book description
Shortlisted for the Pol Roger Duff Cooper PrizeA Times and Sunday Times Book of the YearA Wall Street Journal Book of the YearA Spectator Book of the YearA Times Literary Supplement Book of the YearA New Yorker Book of the YearSome called it a craze. To others it was a cult. Join prize-winning historian Kathryn Hughes to discover how Britain fell in love with cats and ushered in a new era.'Smart, gorgeously written cultural history' TLS'Delightful' Guardian'Excellent' Spectator'Joyous cultural history' The Times'He invented a whole cat world' declared H. G. Wells of Louis Wain, the Edwardian artist whose anthropomorphic kittens made him a household name. His drawings were irresistible but Catland was more than the creation of one eccentric imagination. It was an attitude - a way of being in society while discreetly refusing to follow its rules.As cat capitalism boomed in the spectacular Edwardian age, prized animals changed hands for hundreds of pounds and a new industry sprung up to cater for their every need. Cats were no longer basement-dwelling pest-controllers, but stylish cultural subversives, more likely to flaunt a magnificent ruff and a pedigree from Persia. Wherever you found old conventions breaking down, there was a cat at the centre of the storm.Whether they were flying aeroplanes, sipping champagne or arguing about politics, Wain's feline cast offered a sly take on the restless and risky culture of the post-Victorian world. No-one experienced these uncertainties more acutely than Wain himself, confined to a mental asylum while creating his most iconic work. Catland is a fascinating and fabulous unravelling of our obsession with cats, and the man dedicated to chronicling them.'Through humour, elegance and sheer knowledge, Hughes builds something remarkable' Literary Review'If a Louis Wain cat were reading this book, he would raise his topper in tribute' The Times'Catland is a tour de force of (cat) history: sleek, elegant and razor-sharp when needed' History Today'Excellent ... Hughes reveals a fascinating, forgotten aspect of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain: how the British fell in love with felines' Daily Mail'An entertaining and often surprising cultural history ... typically delivered in an inviting spirit of delight' New Yorker
QuestWeaver
Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Zero Corn
Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Easy Street
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Succubus In Training
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. 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.
BlackExcalibur
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱
Midas
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization.
Hermopolis
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Mental Prophet
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator.
MuseMaster
Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Mantis Queen
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. 📱📖
Woo Woo
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Icy Avenger
Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Whipsaw
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. 🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Dr. Cocktail
ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Twisty Freesia
The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care. 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.
Sleek Assassin
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Dancing Madman
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Valley Guardian
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. 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!
Sleek Assassin
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
BlackExcalibur
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
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