Book description
Pilgrimage to Earth: A Sonic Journey Through Sheckley's Sharp Wit
Robert Sheckley's Pilgrimage to Earth crackles with the dry humor and satirical bite that made him a master of science fiction's golden age. This audiobook collection delivers fifteen stories that feel as fresh today as they did when first published in the pages of Galaxy and Playboy. Each tale unfolds like a perfectly crafted joke-building with precision, delivering unexpected twists, and leaving listeners both amused and slightly unsettled.
The title story, "Pilgrimage to Earth," originally titled "Love, Incorporated," sets the tone with its sly commentary on human nature disguised as alien anthropology. Sheckley's genius lies in making the familiar strange, and these audio performances bring that strangeness to vivid life. His aliens are convincingly otherworldly yet disturbingly human in their motivations-greedy, confused, and desperately seeking connection.
Stories like "The Body" and "Trap" showcase Sheckley's ability to turn simple premises into profound explorations of identity and survival. The audio format particularly suits his work; the narrators capture the deadpan delivery essential to his humor, where the most absurd situations are described with bureaucratic calmness.
What makes this collection remarkable is how Sheckley uses science fiction's trappings-space travel, alien encounters, futuristic technology-not as escapist fantasy but as mirrors reflecting our own societal quirks and failures. These aren't just stories about other worlds; they're sharp observations about this one, wrapped in entertaining packages that linger long after the final chapter ends.
SkyGod
I can't imagine my life without this app โ it's my daily dose of literature. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Dorothy Solitaire
Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
3D Waffle
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Firefly
No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Swing Setter
Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
Mrs. Voltage
I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Prone
The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Cardinal Rebel
With this app, I can devour books like never before โ it's incredibly efficient. โฐ Maximizing my time with efficient features โ this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. ๐โณ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Good-lookinโ
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. ๐ถ๐ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies โ my ears are in love! ๐ต๐ Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorโs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsโjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Nibbler
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. ๐ฑ An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality โ audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ๐๐
Shivers
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere โ it's a reader's dream come true. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnโt dislike it, but I also didnโt feel strongly about it one way or another.
Dancing Madman
With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. ๐ก This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! ๐ฑ๐ฉโ๐ณ Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iโve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Spunky Chick
๐ฑ No more lugging around heavy books โ this app brings the library to my phone! ๐๐ฑ Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
TulipCake
Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itโs perfect for my needs.
2nd Hand Joe
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go โ kudos to this app's functionality. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Die Slice
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds โ this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
NexusNavigator
I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. 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!
Flame OUT
I'm hooked on this app โ it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. ๐ฅ Spicing up my routine with this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! โจ๐ Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Wolf Tribune
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
Sugar Man
๐ Reading has never been this easy โ this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ๐๐ซ ๐ก Balancing learning and living effortlessly โ audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! ๐ง๐ซ ๐ Indulging in soothing bedtime stories โ this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ๐๐ Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ๐๐ I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
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