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.)
Devil Chick
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Divine Quasar
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
Spitfire
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Electric Player
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Proper
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail.
Rando Tank
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Take Away
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Daffy Neo
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Spicy Thunder
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
360
With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Admiral Tot
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout.
FireBerry
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. 🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
Runway Darling
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Blue Despair
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Mosquit-No
Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Treasure Devil
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant source of books. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook! The app is worth every penny. It’s packed with features and works flawlessly.
Pinup Diva
I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Spunky Sphinx
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Wildcat Appaloosa
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
ThreadTraveler
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
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