Book description
A personal reckoning with grief, doubt, faith and poetry set to one of the most celebrated musical works of the twentieth century, from the award-winning poet and librettist.The story goes like this: on a freezing winter night in 1941, a new piece of chamber music was performed to a crowd of prisoners of war on a three-stringed cello, clarinet, violin and pub piano with sticky keys. It was the premiere of Olivier Messiaen's Quatuor pour la fin du Temps.Listeners since then have been captivated by the ecstatic music and mythology of Messiaen's masterpiece. Michael Symmons Roberts' own lifelong fascination with the Quartet- having chanced upon it in a record shop in his late teens and fallen in love with its title - leads him on a quest to understand its enigmatic power. His fascination - at times frustration - with Messiaen's vision opens into an exploration of grief, of personal faith and doubt, of the end of time and what may lie beyond it. Interwoven with poetry and wit, this book is an expansive evocation of music, loss, hope and time, seen through the lens of the Quartet's technicolour, apocalyptic vision.Quartet for the End of Time is a moving, intimate and unforgettable book, attentive to ways of listening - in our noisy world - to birdsong, music, poems and radio silence, and to the call and response that we may find.'A properly engrossing exploration of music, place, religion and what it is to be human' SARAH TARLOW, author of The Archaeology of Loss
Nutmeg Riot
This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Renegade Slugger
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks.
Princess Dove
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze.
Troubadour
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Dallas Burn
This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits – it's a game-changer. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Hemingway Mirmillone
Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Psycho Thinker
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight.
Beo
I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Sky Trinity
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
New York Sixlet
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
Devil Bread
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Coffee
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
Mr. Peppermint
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Princess Dove
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
Most Wanted
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Proper
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Skool
Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library.
Lincoln Rider
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
New Magoo
⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Scooby Did
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
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