Book description
*Shortlisted for the Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize*A 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
Celtic Charger
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Sylvester Eye
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Heaven Sent
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
High Heel Goddess
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
RealmRanger
🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
California Goddess
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱
Stone Boomstick
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer.
Commando
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
ShadowFax
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Miss Rum Punch
With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win!
SprkR
Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Miss Fix It
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable.
Springheel Jack
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Gold Bentley
💪 Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier – this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. 💼📖 Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
Crash Test
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Twinkle Cutlass
User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Squatch
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Boost
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Tomcat
🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Swedish Twizz
Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
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