Book description
"A timeless queer love story and a meditation on power, capitalism, and the flow of history . . . This novel is a revelation and a joy." -Anna North, New York Times bestselling author of OutlawedA classic in the making: a mesmerizing novel about marriage and ambition, sexuality and secrecy, and the true costs of building an empire. At the turn of the 20th century, Vivian Lesperance is determined to flee her origins in Utica, New York, and avoid repeating her parents' dull, limited life. When she meets Oscar Schmidt, a middle manager at a soap company, Vivian finds a partner she can guide to build the life she wants-not least because, more interested in men himself, Oscar will leave Vivian to tend to her own romances with women. But Vivian's plans require capital, so the two pair up with Squire Clancey, scion of an old American fortune. Together they found Clancey & Schmidt, a preeminent manufacturer of soap, perfume, and candles. When Oscar and Squire fall in love, the trio form a new kind of partnership. Vivian reaches the pinnacle of her power building Clancey & Schmidt into an empire of personal care products while operating behind the image of both men. But exposure threatens, and all three partners are made aware of how much they have to lose. For readers of Hernan Diaz's Trust and Colm T ib n's The Magician, with echoes of Gustave Flaubert and E.M. Forster, Mutual Interest is a beguiling story of queer romance, empire, and power.SynopsisAn enthralling, dishy novel about ambition, sexuality, and the rise of a capitalist empire in post-Gilded Age New York. "Hernan Diaz's Trust but make it gay? Narrated in the sly-eyed style of Plain Bad Heroines? I am absolutely buying what this book is selling, an epic and intimate tale of three secretly queer aspiring business titans who band together--and in the case of two of them, marry--to build an empire." ?Electric Literature, Most Anticipated Queer Books for Spring 2025 At the turn of the 20th century, Vivian Lesperance is determined to flee her hometown of Utica, New York, and live a life worthy of the society pages she writes for. When she meets Oscar Schmidt, a queer middle manager at a soap company, Vivian finds a partner she can guide to build the life she wants--not least because Oscar will leave Vivian to tend to her own romances with women. But Vivian's plans require capital, so they approach Oscar's old-money rival, Squire Clancey. Together they found Clancey & Schmidt, a preeminent manufacturer of soap, perfume, and candles. When Oscar and Squire fall in love, the trio form a new kind of partnership. Vivian reaches the pinnacle of her power building Clancey & Schmidt into an empire of personal care products while operating behind the image of both men. But exposure threatens, and all three partners are made aware of how much they have to lose. For fans of The Gilded Age and Succession "who wished the show was both kinder and gayer" (Jessie Wright, Copper Dog Books), Mutual Interest is a brilliant, beguiling story of desire and power.
Pixie
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Frosty Squid
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ 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.
Gold Dahlia
This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
RZR
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
Scarlet Mary
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Beo
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Lunar Treat
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Pearl Girl
The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
Achilles Mountain
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
QuestQuill
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ«
MindfulMingle
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience.
Liquid Science
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
RoarSweetie
Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears.
Digital Moonshine
I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel.
Lucky Martian
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Swedish Twizz
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Stickers
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Gas Man
Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Feral Filly
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient.
Master Jetson
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
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