Book description
Imagine sinking into your headphones for a novel that's supposedly about time travel, but feels like your therapist's overpriced meditation app. Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven, has done it again: crafted a book so quietly brilliant, it makes you question if your own life is just a poorly edited time-loop. The audiobook? A masterclass in deadpan delivery for a plot that's equal parts Doctor Who and The Office-but with more existential dread and fewer staplers.
You follow Edwin, a Victorian-era rebel exiled for ranting at a dinner party, who hears a violin in a forest (because obviously, that's the sound of cosmic chaos). Then there's Olive, a pandemic novelist stranded on a moon colony, whose book-in-a-book contains a passage about exactly the violin scene. And Gaspery, a detective in "Night City" (a place that sounds like a dystopian Airbnb), who's hired to solve... well, time travel, apparently. The whole thing unfurls like a mystery where the clues are just really polite metaphors for "we're all doomed."
Mandel's prose is so calm, you'll think you've been hit with a feather pillow. The New York Times calls it "intellectually playful," but let's be real: it's the literary equivalent of whispering "time is a flat circle" while ignoring the fact that your Wi-Fi's gone out again during the pandemic. The audiobook narrator leans into this perfectly-deadpan, almost bored, as if they're reading a grocery list that happens to involve quantum physics. You'll catch yourself nodding along to lines like, "The universe is a series of unfortunate coincidences," while simultaneously realizing you are the unfortunate coincidence.
And yes, the pandemic novel within the novel? Chef's kiss. It's like Mandel's saying, "Look, we're all stuck in this plague-era time loop, so let's make it about a violin player." The humor here isn't in the book-it's in how we've all been living this plot for the last five years. The moon colony's "artificial beauty"? A direct jab at how we're all trying to curate our perfect lives while chaos (and bad Wi-Fi) eats our reality for breakfast.
But here's the real kicker: Mandel makes you care about this mess. The violin isn't just a plot device-it's the sound of humanity trying to be human despite everything. The audiobook's pacing mirrors this: slow, deliberate, letting the weight of time (and your own existential panic) settle. You'll find yourself pausing it to stare at your ceiling, wondering if your life is just a "time anomaly" caused by a missed train.
So yeah, it's a "bestseller." It's "profound." And honestly? It's the perfect audiobook to listen to while you're also trying to figure out how to order groceries without crying. Because let's face it: if a 1912 violin player and a moon colony can handle time travel, so can you. Just maybe don't write a diatribe at your next dinner party. (Your future self will thank you.)
Sandbox
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go.
Gunhawk
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
Martini Flower
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Mother Night
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Sky Dahlia
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Alpha
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true standout. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
DARK HQ
Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Viceswerve
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
WanderWord
CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
ByteBard
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. 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.
Pepper Mouse
Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Venom Petunia
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Palomino Cake
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey.
Sun Washer
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Killah Goose
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done! Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Crazy Rox
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Buckshot
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Pink Nightmare
πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now!
StormCake
With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Twisty Freesia
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
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