Book description
The prequel to Love Me Tender, narrating Debré's transformation from affluent career woman to broke single lesbian and writer. I see all her beauty, I see the beauty of women. I see my own body, new. I tell myself there are so many things that are possible. Published in France in 2018, Playboy is the first volume of Constance Debré's renowned debut trilogy that describes her decision, at age forty-three, to abandon her marriage, her legal career, and her bourgeois Parisian life to become a lesbian and a writer. The novel unfolds in a series of short, sharp vignettes. The narrator's descriptions of her first female lovers--a married woman fifteen years older than her, a model ten years her junior--are punctuated by encounters with her ex-husband, her father, and her son. As Debré recently told Granta "It was a bit like Saint Augustine and his conversion. In the same week, I had sex with a girl and I had the feeling that I could write. I had this incredible feeling that I could catch things, that life was there to be caught." Looking at the world through fresh eyes, the narrator of Playboy questions everything that once lay beneath the surface of her well-managed life. Laconic, aggressive, and radically truthful, she examines gender and marriage, selfishness and sacrifice, money and family, even the privilege inherent in her downward mobility. Writing her way toward her own liberation, Debré chronicles the process that made her one of the most brilliant, important French writers today.
About the Author
Constance Debré left her career as a lawyer to become a writer. Her other novels, Love Me Tender (published by Semiotext(e) in 2022), Un peu là, beaucoup ailleurs (winner of the 2005 Prix Contrepoint), and Manuel pratique de l'idéal Abécédaire de survie.
Palomino
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Athens Fire
Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Dr. Cocktail
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Knock Out Star
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Spellbinder
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Campfire Mama
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats – it truly supports all my audio needs. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
PP Dubs
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver – no more losing my place in the story! 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Firecracker
🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳 Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
RawSkills
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Coldy
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧
Bom Crossed
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Star Sword
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
High-Fructose
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind.
Firedog
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment.
DreamWeaver
I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Taffy Duchess
💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives.
Princess Dove
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
MeeP
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze.
Beo
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Romance Guppy
🏃♂️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! 🏃♂️📖 This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
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