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.
Twister Hero
I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Feral Filly
Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Poppy Coffee
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Fire Feline
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Pink Stream
π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Necessary Momentum
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference.
Engine Eye
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books.
Aqua Diva
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
PP Dubs
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks!
Troubadour
I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. 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.
Force
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ
ThermalMode
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ππ§ Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Crazy Eights
I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Wiccan Thunder
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Genghis Glyph
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ
Dez North
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Old Man Winter
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a true marvel. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
Petite Beauty
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Super Flick
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
HolyCombo
ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
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