Book description
‘Elegant and heartaching, these poems illuminate the sorrows of life with a bright flame, returning us to that miraculous human capacity for love and faith even in our darkest days.’ Liz Berry‘Declan Ryan reveals himself a master of both the telling detail and of narrative suspense. Each exquisitely orchestrated vignette delivers a punch worthy of the heroes of the ring here commemorated.’ Mark FordCrisis Actor chronicles various failures and farewells. It is peopled by faded heroes and deferential devotees; a hanged donkey, a bloated rat; solitary bachelors and disillusioned youths – these are the watchers, not the players. The poems are awash with rueful self-accusation and laconic scepticism. There are touching elegies, reportage and bruised, wary replayings. A blistering sequence about boxers and their fates weaves through the collection. The overwhelming sense is of life going on elsewhere, the halcyon days and brightest of years long past. This is the aftermath of being one who – in Matthew Arnold’s words – ‘has reached his utmost limits and finds . . . himself far less than he had imagined himself’.But there are still flashes of camaraderie, of stars aligning: lunchtimes in sunlit garden squares, languorous pub afternoons, cheering on and hard-won triumphs. These precious, precarious moments point to how we might reclaim potential, discover human connection in times of defeat or despair, and reach towards grace and redemption.
BlackExcalibur
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout.
Mr. Spy
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Cumulo
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. 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.
Duke Electro
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. 💡 Balancing learning and living effortlessly – audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! 🎧💫 Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Dance Bloom
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Hoover Spark
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Mr. Gadget
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. 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.
Bleachers
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. 💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Easy Sweep
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
Pink Nightmare
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. 💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖
Stud Buster
Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Thunder Tank
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Drift
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable.
Digital Moonshine
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Electric Player
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination.
MysticMingle
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win! 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable.
Super Flick
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention.
Blister
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. 🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
Blade
The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Liquid Science
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
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