Book description
Barton Dawes' world doesn't crumble-it gets paved over. One moment, he's a quiet man with a steady job and a home; the next, highway construction tears it all away. That's the raw, gut-punch start to Richard Bachman's Roadwork, now brilliantly realized as an audiobook. You don't just read about Dawes' unraveling; you hear it in the narrator's steady, increasingly strained voice as he fights a faceless bureaucracy that treats his life like roadkill.
The brilliance here is how the audiobook amplifies the isolation. You're not just hearing a story-you're sitting in Dawes' empty house, hearing the silence where his wife's voice used to be, the way his frustration tightens in his throat when he's dismissed by officials. The narrator never overplays it; he lets the quiet desperation speak for itself. You'll find yourself holding your breath during those tense phone calls with the city, hearing the polite indifference that slowly erodes a man's sanity.
What makes this so haunting isn't the big dramatic moments-it's the small, devastating details. The way Dawes tries to rebuild his life with a new job, only to realize he's just another cog in the machine he's fighting. The way his friends drift away, not out of malice, but because they can't bear to watch him chase ghosts. Bachman (writing as King) doesn't give us a hero; he gives us a man who's so utterly human in his stubborn refusal to surrender that you can't help but root for him-even as you see where this path leads.
The audiobook's pacing is perfect. It doesn't rush the slow burn of Dawes' descent, letting each small defeat sink in. You hear the weariness in his voice when he says, "I just want my life back," and you know it's already gone. There's no grand redemption here-just the quiet tragedy of a man who refused to accept that progress doesn't care about the people it flattens.
This isn't a story about winning. It's about the cost of trying to hold on. And in the audiobook format, that cost lands with unbearable weight. You don't just understand Dawes' fight-you feel it in your bones, as if the highway construction is happening in your own backyard. It's a masterclass in understated storytelling, made all the more powerful by a performance that never needs to shout. You'll finish this listening and wonder how many quiet battles are happening right outside your door, and whether you'd have the courage to fight them alone. Roadwork isn't just a book-it's a reminder of what we lose when we let the road take over. And that's a lesson worth hearing.
Divine Bramble
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Kamikaze Granny
Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Soiled Dove
π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ 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. ππ High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Instant Star
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
MindfulMingle
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph.
High Heel Goddess
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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! A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Super Flick
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Atlantic Rim
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Guillotine Trigger
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§ π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
ByteBard
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
Venom Charms
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
The Flying Mouse
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Midnight Rider
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
ManManMan
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Racy Lady
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§ I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Kill Switch
Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Avenge Paws
πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Sylvester Eye
πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ Savoring stories has never been this smooth β this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
StorySculptor
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment.
Darling Peacock
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π
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