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.
Freeze Queen
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
DeathDancer
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. 🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Wolf Tribune
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Instant Star
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Lightweight
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ByteBard
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Pepper Legs
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win.
Wooden German
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
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SWAT Honey
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Nibbler
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
Wolf Tribune
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
NecroBull
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Darkside Isis
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win! Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback.
High Woo
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
The Beekeeper
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic.
Renegade Slugger
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
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