Book description
A Listening Journey into J.D. Salinger's Life
David Shields' new oral biography of the enigmatic author is a tour-de-force that translates brilliantly into audio. The narration-performed by a seasoned voice actor with a warm, conversational tone-guides listeners through more than 200 intimate interviews spread across five continents. Each story feels like a private confession, as if Salinger himself were whispering from the pages of his own diary.
What makes this audiobook so compelling is its depth and authenticity. Shields and co-author Shane Salerno have spent nine years digging into archives, uncovering never-before-seen photographs, legal documents, and, most strikingly, a collection of Salinger's "lost letters." These letters, read aloud with reverence, reveal the man behind the myth: his thoughts on love, war, fame, and faith. The soundscape is enriched by snippets of archival recordings-old radio broadcasts, wartime footage-creating an immersive backdrop that feels both historic and immediate.
Critics have called it "explosive," "engrossing," and even "unmitigated success." Those accolades ring true here; the audiobook keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. The pacing is deliberate, allowing each testimony its moment while the narrator's steady cadence ties everything together. Even for listeners new to Salinger, the book offers a clear, vivid portrait that feels both scholarly and personal.
If you're curious about one of literature's most elusive figures, this audiobook delivers an unprecedented, intimate experience-an unmissable listen for fans and newcomers alike.
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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