Book description
The short story is often viewed as an inferior relation to the Novel. But it is an art in itself. To take a story and distil its essence into fewer pages while keeping character and plot rounded and driven is not an easy task. Many try and many fail. In this series we look at short stories from many of our most accomplished writers. Miniature masterpieces with a lot to say. In this volume we examine some of the short stories of M R James. M R James is widely regarded as THE master of the ghost story. His stories abound with spectres skulking in the shrubbery, in shadowy corners and dark recesses. 'The Mezzotint' is a whimsical and apparently supernatural tale of art on the move; a dying man devises a gruesome plan for testing his heirs in 'The Tractate Middoth', and something is lurking under the bedclothes in 'Rats'. Montague Rhodes James was born on August 1 1862 at Goodnestone Parsonage in Kent, England. As well as revitalising the ghost story - stripping away some of its Gothic trappings and introducing a more contemporary viewpoint and setting he was and remains much admired as a Medieval scholar and catalogued many of the manuscript libraries of the Cambridge colleges. He lived for many years, first as an undergraduate, then as a don and provost, at King's College, Cambridge. The university provides settings for several of his tales as does Suffolk. But, for us he remains the master writer of so many chilling classics stories, many of which we bring you here. MR James died age 73 at Eton. Many of these stories are also available as an audiobook from our sister company Word Of Mouth. Many samples are at our youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/PortablePoetry?feature=mhee The full volume can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon and other digital stores. Among the readers are Geoff Mcgivern.
Spit Turanga
Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Natural Gold
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Mint Ness
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Maple Destroyer
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Hog Butcher
Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Kinged
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
CyberScribe
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§
Dredd
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Petite Flurry
The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Dallas Burn
With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π 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§ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Abyss Tamer
The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
The Beekeeper
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Deano
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Lightening Trip
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Lunar Treat
π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
WanderWord
Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
DeathDancer
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift.
Force
This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Sand Whiskers
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. This app's library is a treasure trove β I'm always discovering new favorites. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. π±π I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Paris Boost
π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± 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.
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