Book description
Named a Most Anticipated Book for Fall by Goodreads - Washington Post - New York Post - BuzzFeed - PopSugar - Business Insider - An October Indie Next List Pick - An October LibraryReads Pick "A hauntingly beautiful--and imagined--origin story to The Scarlet Letter." --People WHO IS THE REAL HESTER PRYNNE? Isobel Gamble is a young seamstress carrying generations of secrets when she sets sail from Scotland in the early 1800s with her husband, Edward. An apothecary who has fallen under the spell of opium, his pile of debts have forced them to flee Glasgow for a fresh start in the New World. But only days after they've arrived in Salem, Edward abruptly joins a departing ship as a medic--leaving Isobel penniless and alone in a strange country, forced to make her way by any means possible. When she meets a young Nathaniel Hawthorne, the two are instantly drawn to each other: he is a man haunted by his ancestors, who sent innocent women to the gallows--while she is an unusually gifted needleworker, troubled by her own strange talents. As the weeks pass and Edward's safe return grows increasingly unlikely, Nathaniel and Isobel grow closer and closer. Together, they are a muse and a dark storyteller; the enchanter and the enchanted. But which is which? In this sensuous and hypnotizing tale, a young immigrant woman grapples with our country's complicated past, and learns that America's ideas of freedom and liberty often fall short of their promise. Interwoven with Isobel and Nathaniel's story is a vivid interrogation of who gets to be a "real" American in the first half of the 19th century, a depiction of the early days of the Underground Railroad in New England, and atmospheric interstitials that capture the long history of "unusual" women being accused of witchcraft. Meticulously researched yet evocatively imagined, Laurie Lico Albanese's Hester is a timeless tale of art, ambition, and desire that examines the roots of female creative power and the men who try to shut it down.
Chip Queen
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers! This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Flyswat Briggs
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Petite Beauty
πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
K-Tin Man
I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. 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.
Venom Petunia
πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Spider Fuji
Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
WanderWord
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. 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. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Pockets
Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Rummy Stickers
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks.
Fire Queen
I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording. 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.
Crazy Eights
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Zod
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings.
Pusher
Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever.
Skylark
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
D-Hog-Day
No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Solitaire
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. 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!
Slint FUBAR
Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
ThoughtTrail
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
MicroStar
I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Juno Cream
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience.
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