Book description
Maria von Trapp. You know the name and the iconic songs, but do you know her real story? This dramatic novel, based on the woman glamorized in The Sound of Music, brings Maria to life as never before. "As immersive, heartbreaking, and ultimately redemptive as the musical . . . This one is not to be missed."--Allison Pataki, author of Finding Margaret Fuller In the 1950s, Oscar Hammerstein is asked to write the lyrics to a musical based on the life of a woman named Maria von Trapp. He's intrigued to learn that she was once a novice who hoped to live quietly as an Austrian nun before her abbey sent her away to teach a widowed baron's sickly child. What should have been a ten-month assignment, however, unexpectedly turned into a marriage proposal. And when the family was forced to flee their home to escape the Nazis, it was Maria who instructed them on how to survive using nothing but the power of their voices. It's an inspirational story, to be sure, and as half of the famous Rodgers & Hammerstein duo, Hammerstein knows it has big Broadway potential. Yet much of Maria's life will have to be reinvented for the stage, and with the horrors of war still fresh in people's minds, Hammerstein can't let audiences see just how close the von Trapps came to losing their lives. But when Maria sees the script that is supposedly based on her life, she becomes so incensed that she sets off to confront Hammerstein in person. Told that he's busy, she is asked to express her concerns to his secretary, Fran, instead. The pair strike up an unlikely friendship as Maria tells Fran about her life, contradicting much of what will eventually appear in The Sound of Music. A tale of love, loss, and the difficult choices that we are often forced to make, Maria is a powerful reminder that the truth is usually more complicated--and certainly more compelling--than the stories immortalized by Hollywood.
About the Author
Michelle Moran is the internationally bestselling author of eight historical novels. A California native with a Master's in Education, she was inspired to write historical novels by her experiences on archeological digs. Her novels, translated into more than twenty languages, include Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, Cleopatra's Daughter, Madame Tussaud, The Second Empress, Rebel Queen, Mata Hari's Last Dance, and Maria. A frequent traveler, she currently lives with her family in England, where she is researching her ninth book.
Wrangler Jim
πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π
The Flying Mouse
ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Wolf Tribune
π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ« πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Mechani-Man
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it.
Hella Fella
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Low Voltage
I'm hooked on this app β it's like Netflix for book lovers! The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes.
Lewd Dice
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ
Flint Cast-Iron
This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Light Despair
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization!
Night Magnet
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days.
Bugger
ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces.
Demand Chopper
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Juice Petite
This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Moon Radar
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Soiled Dove
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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!
Mr. Thanksgiving
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
K-9
πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Eye Candy Kitten
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores β this app is a lifesaver! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. 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!
Rusty Vortex
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Twister Hero
The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
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