Book description
A Must-Read at The New York Post and BookPage "This terrific book, about loss and family and the weight of history, is probably as close as I'll ever get to buying one of those picturesque Italian villas, and surely a wiser investment." --Jess Walter, author of Beautiful Ruins and The Angel of Rome From the bestselling author of The Last Painting of Sara de Vos, Dominic Smith's Return to Valetto tells of a nearly abandoned Italian village, the family that stayed, and long-buried secrets from World War II. On a hilltop in Umbria sits Valetto. Once a thriving village that survived centuries of earthquakes and landslides and became a hub of resistance and refuge during World War II, it has since been nearly abandoned, as residents sought better lives elsewhere. Only ten remain, including the widows Serafino--three eccentric sisters and their steely centenarian mother--who live quietly in their medieval villa. Then their nephew and grandson, Hugh, a historian, returns. But someone else has arrived before him, laying claim to the cottage where Hugh spent his childhood summers. The unwelcome guest is the captivating and no-nonsense Elisa Tomassi, who asserts that the family patriarch, Aldo Serafino, a resistance fighter whom her own family harbored, gave the cottage to them in gratitude. But like so many threads of history, this revelation unravels a secret--a betrayal, a disappearance, and an unspeakable act of violence--that has affected Valetto across generations. Who will answer for the crimes of the past? Dominic Smith's Return to Valetto is a riveting journey into one family's dark past, a page-turning excavation of the ruins of history, and a probing look at our commitment to justice in a fragile world. It is also a deeply human and transporting testament to the possibility of love and understanding across gaps of all kinds--even time.
MicroStar
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
PixelPathfinder
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Mechani-Man
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have.
Slacker Cat
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧
Whistler
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
HolyCombo
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Redneck Giorgio
🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Voluntary
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. 🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Spunky Sphinx
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Sprinkle Lovenuts
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. 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!
Airport Hobo
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ⭐️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. 🎶📖 Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content.
Lucifurious
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Baby Brown
🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
Feline Devil
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Pepper Legs
⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy.
StorySculptor
🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Vicious Street
The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. 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!
Phoenix Sparrow
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖
Domino Combat
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion.
Eerie Mizzen
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. 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!
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