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.
Jelly Momentum
🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Darkside Isis
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. 🏃♀️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – audiobooks make my runs more exciting! 🏃♀️🎧 ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Father Abbot
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. 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.
Rink Ruler
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Unleashed
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Danger Menace
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience.
Dahlia Bumble
🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟
Darkside Isis
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Feral Cookie
Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Cross Thread
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Loot
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Coldy
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
RawSkills
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. 🏃♀️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – audiobooks make my runs more exciting! 🏃♀️🎧 Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Dream Killer
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
ThoughtTraveler
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. 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!
Microwave
This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Bug Blitz
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Broomspun
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. 🎧 Navigating through narratives has never been simpler – this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. 📚💫 This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
PP Dubs
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient.
Universe Bullet
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. 💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
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