Book description
Returning to her legendary short stories, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist Joy Williams offers a much-anticipated follow-up to Ninety-Nine Stories of God, which The New York Times Book Review called a "treasure trove of bafflements and tiny masterpieces." Concerning the Future of Souls balances the extraordinary and the humble, the bizarre and the beatific, as Azrael--transporter of souls and the most troubled and thoughtful of the angels--confronts the holy impossibility of his task, his uneasy relationship with Death, and his friendship with the Devil. Over the course of these ninety-nine illuminations, a collection of connected and disparate beings--ranging from ordinary folk to grand, known figures such as Jung, Nietzsche, Pythagoras, Bach, and Rilke; to mountains, oceans, dogs, birds, whales, horses, butterflies, a sixty-year-old tortoise, and a chimp named Washoe--experience the varying fate of the soul as each encounters the darkness of transcendence in this era of extinction. A brilliant crash course in philosophy, religion, literature, and culture, Concerning the Future of Souls is an absolution and an indictment, sorrowful and ecstatic. Williams will leave you wonderstruck, pondering the morality of being mortal.
About the Author
Joy Williams is the author of five novels--including The Quick and the Dead, a runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize--and four collections of stories, as well as Ill Nature, a book of essays that was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Among her many honors are the Rea Award for the Short Story and the Strauss Living Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2008.
TrixiePhany
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. 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.
Indestructible Potato
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done! With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Shy Warrior
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Palomino
Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Moon Laser
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Slinger
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Nacho
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Sexual Chocolate
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful.
Emerald Vine
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
21st Street
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Dr. WMD
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Pepper Prada
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits.
NexusNavigator
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Freeway
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. 💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮 The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Pitfall
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xFRST
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Dakota Bliss
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats – this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. 🎉🔊 A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Innocent Ghost
🎶📚 Setting the mood with stories instead of songs – this app is my go-to playlist! 🎧🌟 Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. 📚👏 The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Shade Nightman
Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection.
Bad Beh8vior
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
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