Book description
Shortlisted for the 2021 Forward Prize for Best CollectionMen Who Feed Pigeons brings together seven contrasting but complementary poem sequences by 'this brilliant lyricist of human darkness' (Fiona Sampson) relating to men and different kinds of women's relationships with men. The Anaesthetist is about men at work; The Beautiful Man with the Unpronounceable Name is about someone else's husband; Billy relates to friendship between a man and a woman; Biro is about living next door to a mysterious uncle with a dog; The Man in the Quilted Dressing-gown portrays a very particular old man; Ornamental Lakes as Seen from Trains is about a woman and a man she's afraid of; while Shoebill is another sequence about a woman and a man, but quite different from the others. Like all of Selima Hill's work, all seven sequences in this book chart 'extreme experience with a dazzling excess' (Deryn Rees-Jones), with startling humour and surprising combinations of homely and outlandish.'Arguably the most distinctive truth teller to emerge in British poetry...Despite her thematic preoccupations, there's nothing conscientious or worthy about Hill's work. She is a flamboyant, exuberant writer who seems effortlessly to juggle her outrageous symbolic lexicon...using techniques of juxtaposition, interruption and symbolism to articulate narratives of the unconscious. Those narratives are the matter of universal, and universally recognisable, psychodrama...hers is a poetry of piercing emotional apprehension, lightly worn... So original that it has sometimes scared off critical scrutineers, her work must now, surely, be acknowledged as being of central importance in British poetry - not only for the courage of its subject matter but also for the lucid compression of its poetics' - Fiona Sampson, Guardian'Wayward, funny, terrifying. Her writing scintillates with hatred, love and absurd insights.'- Gillian Beer, Financial Times'Her adoption of surrealist techniques of shock, bizarre, juxtaposition and defamiliarisation work to subvert conventional notions of self and the feminine...Hill returns repeatedly to fragmented narratives, charting extreme experience with a dazzling excess.' - Deryn Rees-Jones, Modern Women Poets'Every page reveals her unique ability to invert the world and shake it, until it reveals its truth.' - Kathleen Jamie & Maurice Riordan, PBS Bulletin'She is truly gifted. She invests mundane things with visionary, delirious brilliance.' - Graham Swift, Sunday Times
VisionVoyager
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
Tabasco Dracula
Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! 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.
Demand Chopper
👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable.
High Kingdom Warrior
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧
Earl of Arms
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
Wildcat Appaloosa
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. 👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Gr8 Flick
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
Alberta
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Roller Turtle
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works. 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!
RoarSweetie
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
FrankenGrin
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Rooster
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Sylvester Eye
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. 🏝️🎧 Packing for vacation just got better – this app is my getaway entertainment! 🌴📖 Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization!
Polar Bee
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Teeder
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active.
Drop Stone
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. 💃 Dancing through chores with audiobooks – this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! 🎶📚
NoiseCake
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Jade Fox
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. 🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀
Bang Shift
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Voodoo Cyclone
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥
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