Book description
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Laodicean is a rarely used word these days and means luke warm or half hearted, coming from Revelations 3-16 where Christians from Laodicea were rebuked for their indifference to religion. Hardy had to remain in bed for much of the writing of this novel due to internal bleeding, so dictated it to his wife who was also his nurse. As in his life, central to the book is also a woman, Paula Power, who is caught between two worlds that of the old and familiar and that of the new and modern. Underlining this dilemma is her indecision between two suitors, Captain de Stancy who is a descendant of the owners of the castle she lives in representing the old and George Somerset a rising young architect from London. This same dilemma faced much of Victorian society as industrialisation was radically changing people's lives and as always Hardy's rich character study and stunning prose create a compelling atmosphere and a good read.
Hoover Spark
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
RealmRanger
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win.
Woo Woo
Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Flakes
User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized.
Steel Solstice
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Bleachers
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction.
NeoGermal
Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats. 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.
Sick Saurus
π©βπ³ Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories β this app adds flavor to my meals! π³π§ This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Trixie Doodle
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
ByteBard
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
InsightInkwell
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Waylay Dave
This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Mule Lock
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Maple Destroyer
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits.
Lucifurious
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§
Nacho
π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Voodoo Queen
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. 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.
Voodoo Cyclone
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ± Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨
Bad Beh8vior
The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
NexusNavigator
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences.
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