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.
Texas Butterfly
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Vortex
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
NexusNavigator
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Sofa King
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly.
Fire Feline
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book – brilliant! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Sugar Man
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! 🎧 An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand – this app is pure convenience! 📚🌟 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Mrs. Voltage
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure.
Friday Ferrari
💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Neophyte Believer
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Girl Brownie
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Trash Pocky
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
CoB@lt
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
InsightInkwell
ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. 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.
Athens Fire
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
EchoExplorer
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel.
Flash Protein
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Sky Dahlia
The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files!
Sherwood Gladiator
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Digital Moonshine
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Snout Pixie
The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
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