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.
Trip
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Broomspun
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Coma Stalk
ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Twix Esses
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LyRz
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Spicy Thunder
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
Sky Trinity
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Despair
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Pyscho Hun
I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Jersey
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Scuffs
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Unleashed
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Manly
🎙️ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! 🚶♀️📖 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight.
CloudFrenzy
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner.
Eerie Mizzen
No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Pinball Wizard
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
Kazami of Truth
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Bazooka Har-de-har
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 Audiobooks made delightful – this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Truth
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚
Lilac Lizard
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
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