Book description
Elidor Review
Alan Garner's 1965 fantasy novel receives an audiobook treatment that preserves the author's distinctive narrative voice while enhancing the otherworldly atmosphere of his tale. The story follows the Watson children as they encounter four mundane objects-a mechanical street map, derelict slum, ruined church, and football-that serve as portals to Elidor, a realm where ancient treasures must be recovered to prevent supernatural forces from crossing into their world.
The audiobook format proves particularly effective for Garner's prose style, which incorporates elements of Cheshire folklore and dialect. The narrator's delivery captures the author's precise, formal language structure while maintaining accessibility for younger listeners. Garner's background in traditional British folk tales informs the narrative's foundation, creating a bridge between contemporary children's literature and ancient storytelling traditions.
What distinguishes this audiobook is its ability to convey the tension between ordinary reality and magical realms through vocal performance rather than visual cues. The mechanical street map and deserted slum become gateways to adventure through the narrator's interpretation of Garner's carefully constructed sentences. The author's experience with retelling folk tales serves the story well, particularly in the depiction of the strayed unicorn Findhorn and the sealing of interdimensional bridges.
The audiobook successfully translates Garner's transition from pure fantasy toward more complex thematic territory, predating his later works that would abandon fantastical elements entirely. Listeners experience the same careful attention to landscape and local history that characterizes Garner's broader oeuvre, particularly his connection to the Alderley Edge region of Cheshire.
This recording maintains the integrity of Garner's original 1965 publication while providing an engaging auditory experience that enhances the story's mythological undertones. The format serves the author's intention of creating a children's fantasy that respects its audience's intelligence through sophisticated narrative construction and authentic folkloric elements.
Uncle Buddy
π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Darling Peacock
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
London Fox
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips.
Dropkick
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Referee
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Blistered Outlaw
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Dr. Jam Man
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Sir Shove
ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Bad Princess
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Tootsie Killer
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Sleepwalker
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
Genghis Glyph
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
RealmRanger
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Voodoo Queen
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ππ Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Bowie
The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Lime
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
Spooky Electric
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
Pink C
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Mum Mary
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
TrinitySoul
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
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