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.
Old Regret
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
TrinitySoul
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Runway Darling
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Lime
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
StorySculptor
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable.
Berlin Kamikaze
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
General Finish
ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
BlacKitten
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
Bleeker
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word.
Mr. Spy
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
Vagabond Warrior
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ
Lady Pomegranate
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§
Shimmy Shammy
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! 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! Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Firecracker
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. 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 ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! 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!
Moon Cricket
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Bridge Whip
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Chew Chew
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Audiobooks made delightful β this app's usability is a breath of fresh air.
Tart Voodoo
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
Rope
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
King Panther
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
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