Book description
Translated by Deepa BhasthiLonglisted for the International Booker Prize 2025In the twelve stories of Heart Lamp, Banu Mushtaq exquisitely captures the everyday lives of women and girls in Muslim communities in southern India. Published originally in the Kannada language between 1990 and 2023, praised for their dry and gentle humour, these portraits of family and community tensions testify to Mushtaq’s years as a journalist and lawyer, in which she tirelessly championed women’s rights and protested all forms of caste and religious oppression. Written in a style at once witty, vivid, colloquial, moving and excoriating, it’s in her characters – the sparky children, the audacious grandmothers, the buffoonish maulvis and thug brothers, the oft-hapless husbands, and the mothers above all, surviving their feelings at great cost – that Mushtaq emerges as an astonishing writer and observer of human nature, building disconcerting emotional heights out of a rich spoken style. Her opus has garnered both censure from conservative quarters as well India’s most prestigious literary awards; this is a collection sure to be read for years to come.‘A significant presence in Kannada literature, Banu Mushtaq reveals the varied realities of contemporary women with rare talent and art. Deepa Bhasthi’s rich translation captures the original’s nuances of voice, context and experience, bringing this important work into English for new readers in India and internationally.’ PEN Presents Selection Panel
Berry Succubus
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Mental
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience.
Darkside Isis
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. 🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Winded On Friday
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Bowie
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Chlorine
Savoring audiobooks without fuss – this app's design is impressive. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Dandelion
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Hella Fella
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
VisionVoyager
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection.
Dahlia Bumble
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. 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!
Black Mustard
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless.
MuseMaster
I'm hooked on this app – it's like Netflix for book lovers! I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Suicide Jockey
🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats. 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!
Steel Solstice
This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Grabber
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
DragonBlood
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Digital Moonshine
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚
Gamer Bean
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. 🎧 Audiobooks anywhere, anytime – this app's convenience is unbeatable! 🌟📚 🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner.
Tough Nut
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Hex Panther
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
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