Book description
A new novel from the Booker-shortlisted authorA POWERFUL NEW NOVEL FROM THE PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AND BOOKER-SHORTLISTED AUTHOR OF THE OVERSTORY AND BEWILDERMENT'Is there anything Richard Powers cannot write? The world here is complete, seductive, and promising. The writing feels like the ocean. Vast, mysterious, deep and alive' PERCIVAL EVERETT'An extraordinarily immersive journey through lives linked in mysterious ways - gripping, alarming and uplifting' EMMA DONOGHUERafi and Todd are two polar opposites at an elite high school where they bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game. It sets them up for life: Rafi will get lost in literature, while Todd's work will lead to a startling AI breakthrough.Elsewhere, Evie Beaulieu sinks to the bottom of a swimming pool in Montreal strapped to one of the world's first aqualungs; Ina Aroita grows up in naval bases across the Pacific with art as her only home.All of these people meet on the history-scarred island of Makatea in French Polynesia, marked for humanity's next great adventure: a plan to send floating, autonomous cities out into the open sea. As the seasteaders close in, how will Evie play the ever-unfolding oceanic game? Will Ina engage in acts of destruction? Todd and Rafi, now estranged, still find themselves in competition: Todd unravels while working on an idea to redraw the boundaries of human immortality, while Rafi and the residents must decide if they will greenlight the new project on their shores and change their home forever.Set in the world's largest ocean, Playground explores that last wild place we have yet to colonize and interweaves profound themes of technology and the environment, and a deep exploration of our shared humanity in a way only Richard Powers can.'Powers is a master of taking important topics of our times - from threats to our oceans and climate change to AI - and turning them into riveting and fiercely relevant books imbued with psychological insight and a deep awe for nature. This eloquent dance of the scientific and emotional makes him one of our finest story tellers. PLAYGROUND is brilliant, captivating and important - and the best book I've read this year' ANDREA WULFMore praise for Richard Powers:'Powers has extraordinary gifts as a writer' GUARDIAN'Impressively precise in its scientific conjectures, Bewilderment is no less rich or wise in its emotionality' OBSERVER'He composes some of the most beautiful sentences I've ever read. I'm in awe of his talent' OPRAH WINFREY'It is impossible to deny the importance of Powers's message' SUNDAY TIMES'Refreshing, original and moving' EVENING STANDARD
Sun Lemon
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Black Fantastic
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
Granola
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Loot
Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Fatsy Bear
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Chicago Blackout
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Blackfire
🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Willow Dragon
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
QuestQuill
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
ForumFlare
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. 🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Sir Shove
I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Osprey
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. 🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! 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!
DreamDasher
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained.
Pecan Oblivion
💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Shady Lady
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Liquid Death
This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable.
Gas Man
ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Stacker of Wheat
Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Truth
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Troublemasher
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control.
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