Book description
One of the most popular genres of modern times, fantasy literature has as rich a cultural and literary heritage as the magical worlds that so enrapture its readers. In this book, a concise history of the genre, Adam Roberts traces the central forms and influences on fantasy through the centuries to arrive at our understanding of the fantastic today.Pinning the evolution of fantasy on three key moments - the 19th-century resurgence of interest in Arthurian legend, the rise of Christian allegory, and a post-Ossian, post-Grimm emergence of a Norse, Germanic and Old English mythic identity – Roberts explores how the logic of ‘the fantastical’ feeds through into the sets and trappings of modern fantasy. Tracking the creation of heroic and high fantasy subgenres through antiquarian tradition, through C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and into the post-Tolkien boom in genre fantasy writing, the book brings the manifestation of the fantastic beyond literature into art, music, film and TV, video games and other cultural productions such as fandoms. From Tennyson and Wagner, through Robert Graves, David Jones, Samuel Delany, Dungeons and Dragons, Terry Pratchett and Robin Hobb, to the Game of Thrones, Skyrim, The Witcher and The Lord of the Rings media franchises, the book digs into the global dissemination and diversity of 21st-century fantasy. Accessible and dynamic, wide-ranging but comprehensive, this is a crash-course in context for the most imaginative form of storytelling.
German Coach
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is a true gift.
Elektrik
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner.
Doughboy, Esq
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Springheel Jack
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Rooster
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way – through audiobooks! The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Mr. Thanksgiving
As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Kevlar Wanted
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Dancing Madman
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. 🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Duchess
The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Petite Beauty
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Rusty Vortex
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️
Dredd
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver – no more losing my place in the story! The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Danqqqqq
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
Star Scratch
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
LifeRobber
🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 🏃♂️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! 🏃♂️📖 🔥 Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears – audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. 🎵📖
Sepukku
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Cosmo
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Whip 2T
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB.
MuseMaster
Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Steel Cut Toe
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app.
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