Book description
'A lyrical, fascinating, important book. More than just a family story, it is an essay on belonging, denying, pretending, self-deception and, at least for the main characters, survival.' Literary Review'Simon May's remarkable How to Be a Refugee is a memoir of family secrets with a ruminative twist, one that's more interested in what we keep from ourselves than the ones we conceal from others.' Irish TimesThe most familiar fate of Jews living in Hitler's Germany is either emigration or deportation to concentration camps. But there was another, much rarer, side to Jewish life at that time: denial of your origin to the point where you manage to erase almost all consciousness of it. You refuse to believe that you are Jewish.How to Be a Refugee is Simon May's gripping account of how three sisters - his mother and his two aunts - grappled with what they felt to be a lethal heritage. Their very different trajectories included conversion to Catholicism, marriage into the German aristocracy, securing 'Aryan' status with high-ranking help from inside Hitler's regime, and engagement to a card-carrying Nazi. Even after his mother fled to London from Nazi Germany and Hitler had been defeated, her instinct for self-concealment didn't abate. Following the early death of his father, also a German Jewish refugee, May was raised a Catholic and forbidden to identify as Jewish or German or British. In the face of these banned inheritances, May embarks on a quest to uncover the lives of the three sisters as well as the secrets of a grandfather he never knew. His haunting story forcefully illuminates questions of belonging and home - questions that continue to press in on us today.
Vermilion
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. 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!
Black Fantastic
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. Organization made simple – this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. 📖📱 ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Sleepwalker
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Springheel Jack
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. 💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧
Freaky Ratbuster
I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
Peanut Butter Woman
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Fuzzy Claws
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source.
MysticMingle
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Mr. Fabulous
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖
Maple Destroyer
Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Demo Tequila
Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Daisy Stick
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Admiral Tot
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. 👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
EchoEnigma
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. 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.
Impulse
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature.
Nessie
This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket. 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric.
Swan Mustang
From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Toy Town
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
DreamDiver
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
RiddleRover
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
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