Book description
The submerged land of Lyonesse was once part of Cornwall, according to myth and the oral tradition, standing for a lost paradise in Arthurian legend, but now an emblem of human frailty in the face of climate change. And there was indeed a Bronze Age inundation event which swept the entire west of Cornwall under the sea, with only the Scilly Isles and St Michael's Mount left as remnants above sea-level. Lyonesse was also Thomas Hardy's name for Cornwall where Penelope Shuttle has lived all her adult life, always fascinated by the stories and symbolic presence of Lyonesse. After seeing the Scilly Isles from a small plane at a low altitude - flying over the Wolf Lighthouse - and then visiting the recent Sunken Cities exhibition at the British Museum, imagination and memory played their part in joining the Lyonesse dots together for her, prompting what she calls 'a spontaneous inundation of approaches to the theme, images, soundings of Lyonesse'. As she writes in a preface to this book: 'The universality of loss, both of physical cities and of the human experience erased from the record, enhanced the resource of Lyonesse in my writing. Lyonesse is a place of paradox. It is real, had historical existence. It is also an imaginary region for exploring depths. It holds grief for many kinds of loss... The poems seek re-wilding of a city where human loss interconnects with mythic loss; myth is rooted in the real.' The second part of this book - New Lamps for Old - is a collection of poems she needed to write in coming up for air from the watery depths of Lyonesse, to find ways to begin again, to find meaning in life after bereavement. The 'old lamps' of a former life have been extinguished, leaving darkness. Her challenge was to find 'new lamps' to illuminate and give meaning to life. Lyonesse is a fluid magical world. The poems of New Lamps for Old are concerned with earth, air and fire. Both collections share allegiance with the fifth element, the spirit.
LifeRobber
Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Twinkle Cutlass
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
MuseMaster
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful.
Pixie Taze
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Pink Stream
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
CuriousCraft
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win.
Slow Trot
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient.
Lime
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey.
Cowboy Booter
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
White Snare
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Onion King
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
BuffFreak
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Dr. Jam Man
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius.
Bourbon Mirage
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Trash Sling
CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
WeldMaster
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Pitfall
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Lava Nibbler
⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Winded On Friday
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Copilot
The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
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