Book description
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for NonfictionFinalist for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography "An exhilarating romp through Orwell's life and times and also through the life and times of roses." --Margaret Atwood "A captivating account of Orwell as gardener, lover, parent, and endlessly curious thinker." --Claire Messud, Harper's "Nobody who reads it will ever think of Nineteen Eighty-Four in quite the same way." --Vogue A lush exploration of politics, roses, and pleasure, and a fresh take on George Orwell as an avid gardener whose political writing was grounded by his passion for the natural world "In the spring of 1936, a writer planted roses." So be-gins Rebecca Solnit's new book, a reflection on George Orwell's passionate gardening and the way that his involvement with plants, particularly flowers, illuminates his other commitments as a writer and antifascist, and on the intertwined politics of nature and power. Sparked by her unexpected encounter with the roses he reportedly planted in 1936, Solnit's account of this overlooked aspect of Orwell's life journeys through his writing and his actions--from going deep into the coal mines of England, fighting in the Spanish Civil War, critiquing Stalin when much of the international left still supported him (and then critiquing that left) to his analysis of the relationship between lies and authoritarianism. Through Solnit's celebrated ability to draw unexpected connections, readers are drawn onward from Orwell's own work as a writer and gardener to encounter photographer Tina Modotti's roses and her politics, agriculture and illusion in the USSR of his time with forcing lemons to grow in impossibly cold conditions, Orwell's slave-owning ancestors in Jamaica, Jamaica Kincaid's examination of colonialism and imperialism in the flower garden, and the brutal rose industry in Colombia that supplies the American market. The book draws to a close with a rereading of Nineteen Eighty-Four that completes Solnit's portrait of a more hopeful Orwell, as well as offering a meditation on pleasure, beauty, and joy as acts of resistance.
Tall Sally
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Grinch Cheese
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Darkside Hooker
π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Fiend Oblivion
Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Sun Washer
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. 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!
MuseMaster
I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Commando
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Purity
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π
Teeder
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Proper
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Foot-long Fry
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem.
Voodoo Cyclone
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
NexusNomad
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Miss Mustard
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel.
BuffFreak
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
VisionVoyager
π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iβm in the story.
Stud muffin
Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments.
Burst Nibbler
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
Prof. Screw
The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Soda Delirium
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
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