Book description
By turns somber and funny but above all provocative, Elizabeth Benedict's Rewriting Illness: A View of My Own is a most unconventional memoir. With wisdom, self-effacing wit, and the story-telling skills of a seasoned novelist, she brings to life her cancer diagnosis and committed hypochondria. As she discovers multiplying lumps in her armpit, she describes her initial terror, interspersed with moments of self-mocking levity as she indulges in "natural remedies," among them chanting Tibetan mantras, drinking shots of wheat grass, and finding medicinal properties in chocolate babka. She tracks the progression of her illness from muddled diagnosis to debilitating treatment as she gathers sustenance from her family and an assortment of urbane, ironic friends, including her fearless "cancer guru." In brief, explosive chapters with startling titles - "Was it the Krazy Glue?" and "Not Everything Scares the Shit out of Me" - Benedict investigates existential questions: Is there a cancer personality? Can trauma be passed on generationally? Can cancer be stripped of its warlike metaphors? How do doctors' own fears influence their comments to patients? Is there a gendered response to illness? Why isn't illness one of literature's great subjects? And delving into her own history, she wonders if having had children would have changed her life as a writer and hypochondriac. Post diagnosis, Benedict asks, "Which fear is worse: the fear of knowing or the reality of knowing? (164)"Throughout, Benedict's humor, wisdom, and warmth jacket her fears, which are personal, political, and ultimately global, when the world is pitched into a pandemic. Amid weighty concerns and her all-consuming obsession with illness, her story is filled with suspense, secrets, and even the unexpected solace of silence.
Popeye Wipeout
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
GoldTouch
π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
MysticMingle
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§
Star Scratch
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
Canine Hannibal
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Plenty Orange
Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Soiled Dove
This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone.
Racy Lady
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Nice Gnome
ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
RiddleRover
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it!
Pecan Oblivion
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Prometheus
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation.
Chameleon
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Houston Rocket
This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ππ± The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Spitfire
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
NexusNomad
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. 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!
Delicious Wing
No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Feral Cookie
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Devil Chick
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
WonderWords
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings.
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