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.
Roma Kabuki
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Mr. Peppermint
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Trash Pocky
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips.
Captain Peroxide
ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Bleachers
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition – I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks.
Nueva Nova
I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. Audiobooks on demand – this app's functionality is a true technological gem. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Venom Petunia
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Indestructible Potato
Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. 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.
IceDog
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks.
Leaf Assassin
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
All Natural
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features.
Mr. Peppermint
🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Mallow Man
Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Lincoln Rider
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Redneck Giorgio
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. 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. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Burst Nibbler
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
Noise Toy
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight.
Friday Ferrari
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Silver Agent
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Uluru Walker
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
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