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.
Hemingway Mirmillone
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! ⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Crazy Eights
🎧 Audiobooks anywhere, anytime – this app's convenience is unbeatable! 🌟📚 Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Lady Fantastic
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Ex0tic
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Darth 44
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers.
Twisty Freesia
🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
Moon Radar
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Thunder Nut
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Killer Grenade
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Tornado Maker
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
LunaStar
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Cooger
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Squatch
Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Toolmaker
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Marshmallow
I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. 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. 🌟📚 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Scrapple
📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
DreamWeaver
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
ByteBard
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Metal Aphrodite
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. 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!
Troubadour
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱 ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
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