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.
Clang Glyph
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Widow Curio
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Midnight Bat
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers.
NightDream
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Sweetness
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options.
Pink Hopper
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. 🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓
Jo Jo Spooky
With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. 🎉 This app's functionality is a masterpiece – it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. 📚🎨 ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
High Heel Goddess
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs.
MicroStar
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive.
Digital Moonshine
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚
Street Jolly
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Count Eagle
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. 💃 Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores – a dance of productivity! 🎶📖 Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Pearl Girl
I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
VenusXX
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
Lady Pomegranate
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces.
Dr. Jam Man
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. 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.
Bit Sentinel
📱 Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap – this app is my digital library card! 📚📱 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Nessie
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
PixelPathfinder
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging.
Apple Nola
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable.
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