Book description
"An ardent fan letter from Hornby that makes you want to re-read Great Expectations while listening to Sign o' the Times." --Vogue From the bestselling author of Just Like You, High Fidelity, and Fever Pitch, a short, warm, and entertaining book about art, creativity, and the unlikely similarities between Victorian novelist Charles Dickens and modern American rock star Prince Every so often, a pairing comes along that seems completely unlikely--until it's not. Peanut butter and jelly, Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong Un, ducks and puppies, and now: Dickens and Prince. Equipped with a fan's admiration and his trademark humor and wit, Nick Hornby invites us into his latest obsession: the cosmic link between two unlikely artists, geniuses in their own rights, spanning race, class, and centuries--each of whom electrified their different disciplines and whose legacy resounded far beyond their own time. When Prince's 1987 record Sign o' the Times was rereleased in 2020, the iconic album now came with dozens of songs that weren't on the original-- Prince was endlessly prolific, recording 102 songs in 1986 alone. In awe, Hornby began to wonder, Who else ever produced this much? Who else ever worked that way? He soon found his answer in Victorian novelist and social critic Charles Dickens, who died more than a hundred years before Prince began making music. Examining the two artists' personal tragedies, social statuses, boundless productivity, and other parallels, both humorous and haunting, Hornby shows how these two unlikely men from different centuries "lit up the world." In the process, he creates a lively, stimulating rumination on the creativity, flamboyance, discipline, and soul it takes to produce great art.
Onion King
ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Lightening Trip
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Undergrad
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. 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.
Danger Menace
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
StarZen
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Palomino Cake
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Pitfall Whiskers
The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Joker's Grin
ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Divine Bramble
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
Mr. Gadget
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind β and this app is my partner in crime. ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodβwhat a creative addition! ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits.
Martini Flower
I've found my new favorite way to relax β cuddled up with an audiobook. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Bad Bunny
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Kamikaze Grandma
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Zod
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Stealth
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ«
Mud Pie Man
Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Twinkle Cocoa
ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Irish Dze
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ
Morbid Sugar
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π
Despair
ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
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