Book description
Hearing Octavia Butler's Parable of the Talents as an audiobook isn't just listening-it's stepping into the raw, urgent heart of a world that feels terrifyingly close. The voice of narrator Tavia Gilbert pulls you into Lauren Olamina's journals with a quiet intensity that makes the 2032 dystopia feel immediate, not distant. You hear the exhaustion in Lauren's words, the fierce love beneath her leadership of Earthseed, and the chilling reality of her daughter Asha's struggle to understand a mother caught between protecting her community and fighting for a future.
Butler's genius here isn't just in her vision-it's in how she makes you feel the weight of that vision. The audiobook amplifies it. When Lauren writes about her faith, "God is Change," Gilbert's tone makes you lean in, as if she's whispering a secret only you can hear. You feel Asha's confusion and determination as she reads her mother's words decades later, realizing Earthseed's struggle isn't over-it's been waiting for her to continue. The political terror of the ultra-conservative regime isn't just described; it's made visceral through the tension in the narrator's voice, the pauses that let the fear sink in.
This isn't just a sequel-it's a mirror. As The New Yorker rightly noted, Butler's work remains unmatched in its chilling relevance. The audiobook makes that relevance personal. You don't just read about the fragility of community under oppression; you hear it in the trembling voice of a mother trying to hold it together, and then in the voice of a daughter trying to rebuild it. It's a story about finding hope not in grand gestures, but in the stubborn act of carrying on, word by word, journal entry by journal entry. If you've ever wondered what it means to lead while fighting for survival, this audiobook will stay with you long after the final chapter ends. It's not just a book to read-it's a conversation to have, urgently, now.
Pecan Oblivion
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ
Mad Robin
This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Bowie
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover.
McDreamy
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. 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!
Lunar Treat
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
Gothic Gucci
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time.
Tweety Bun Bun
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly.
Feral Filly
CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Lightening Trip
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient.
WanderWord
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
RZRWRE
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Mr. Gadget
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Trash
ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Charms
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient β it's like having a personal narrator. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Cosmic Presence
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable.
Zero Charisma
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Slacker Cat
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now!
Midnight Bat
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Demo Zero
ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. 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! Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Queen Ginger
πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a perfect match. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
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