Book description
A New Yorker Best Book of 2022 A definitive biography of a twentieth century gay author whose work has recently been rediscovered and enjoys a cult following. One of the most iconoclastic twentieth-century American novelists, James Purdy penned original and sometimes shocking works about those on the margins of American society, exploring small towns, urban life, failure, alienation, sexuality, and familial relations. In his own life, Purdy was a compelling if eccentric figure, declared an "authentic American genius" by Gore Vidal. James Purdy: Life of a Contrarian Writer is the first full-length biography of the gay American novelist, story writer, playwright, and poet. Michael Snyder has spent over a decade plumbing the mysteries of Purdy's career and personal life, including interviews with those who knew him. From his roots in northwestern Ohio, Purdy moved to the world of Bohemian artists and jazz musicians in Chicago in the late 1930s and 1940s, travelled in Spain, studied in Mexico, enlisted in the Army Air Corps, worked for the Federal Security Agency, and taught in Cuba and at a Wisconsin college for nearly a decade. All the while, he aspired to become a writer, but struggled to publish. Only when friends financed the private printing of his work did he find a champion in poet Dame Edith Sitwell, who helped get him published in England, which led to publication in the United States. After moving to New York in 1957, he spent nearly fifty years writing in Brooklyn Heights. Although Purdy's criticalreputation peaked in the 1960s and he never enjoyed a bestseller, his often queer and edgy content found a diverse following that included Tennessee Williams, Langston Hughes, William Carlos Williams, Dorothy Parker, Edward Albee, Jonathan Franzen, John Waters, and many LGBTQ readers. Difficult and often contrarian, Purdy sometimes hampered his own career as he sought recognition from a conservative, cliquey New York publishing world. Conveying the potency and influence of Purdy's fierce artistic integrity, vision, and self-definition as a truth-teller, this groundbreaking literary biography recovers the life of a highly talented writer with a persistent cult following.
Pockets
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Bridge Whip
No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Mule Skinner
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Renegade Slugger
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. 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.
Sassy Muffin
Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
InsightfulInk
The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. 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.
Murder Matter
The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Gamer Bean
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Wheels
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Pepper
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π
Delicious
Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Joker's Grin
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π 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! Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Steel Heart
Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate.
Helmet Destroyer
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Tunez
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed β it's my form of meditation. Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Aqua Monsoon
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Red Hot Kevorkian
My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. 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.
Juno Cream
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Lady Killer
This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
HighBomber
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever.
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