Book description
## Why This Audiobook Will Stay With You Long After the Last Word
Hisham Matar, the Pulitzer-winning author of The Return, doesn't just tell a story in My Friends-he makes you feel the weight of silence, the sting of exile, and the fragile, vital pulse of true connection. And the audiobook? It's the perfect vessel for this masterpiece.
Imagine hearing Khaled, the young boy in Benghazi, utterly captivated by a bizarre radio tale of a man eaten by a cat. That's not just plot-it's the spark that ignites his entire life. The audiobook's narration holds that moment, making you lean in, just like Khaled did. You feel the radio crackle, the confusion, the sudden, terrifying pull of words that change everything.
Matar's prose is already luminous, but hearing it read aloud? It's transformative. The rhythm of sentences like "The trick time plays is to lull us into the belief that everything lasts forever" lands with profound, almost physical weight. You don't just read the line; you feel time slipping away.
The story's heart is Khaled's journey from Benghazi to Edinburgh, then to the shattered aftermath of a London protest against Qaddafi. The audiobook makes the isolation visceral. You hear the tension in his voice when he knows he can't even call his parents on a tapped line-"to tell his mother and father back home what he has done... would jeopardize their safety." The narrator's subtle pauses here aren't just silence; they're the sound of fear.
Then comes the meeting with Hosam Zowa, the enigmatic author of that cat story. Their friendship becomes Khaled's anchor. The audiobook captures the quiet intensity of these moments-the unspoken understanding, the way a single conversation can rewrite your world. It's not dramatic; it's profound, and the audio makes it feel immediate.
Matar doesn't shy from the hard truths: the agony of choosing between family and safety, the way revolution shatters lives, the slow fraying of bonds under time's pressure. The audiobook's intimacy lets you sit with those uncomfortable truths without flinching.
Why this audiobook works so powerfully:
The voice is the story: Matar's words gain emotional texture when spoken, especially in moments of quiet desperation.
Exile becomes audible: You hear the distance between Khaled and his home, the silence where connection should be.
Friendship feels real: The dialogue and pauses in the narration make the bond with Zowa feel earned and essential.
My Friends isn't just about the past; it's a meditation on how we carry loss, love, and identity forward. The audiobook doesn't just deliver the story-it lets you live* inside it, word by word, breath by breath. It's a devastatingly beautiful, achingly human experience. One of the most resonant literary audiobooks I've encountered in years. Listen. And let it stay with you.
Foot-long Fry
π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
The Shield Toronto
This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ« Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
Bitmap
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Houston Rocket
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
xSTORMx
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials.
Kitchen
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon.
Devil Bread
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DeathDancer
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
Unleashed
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers!
M8deUp
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! 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!
NecroBull
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place.
21st Street
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Shamrock
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Firefly Caramel
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Badger the Burglar
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Uluru Walker
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Old Orange Eyes
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable.
Mental
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
Moon Laser
My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use.
InfinityInsight
I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning.
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