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.)
Dance Cannon
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Dez Bonbon
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
Dorothy Solitaire
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience.
Barbera Shift
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
Fire Bite
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless.
Lady Peach
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Rocky Highway
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Count Eagle
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Sherm
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Danger Menace
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Flint
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
StarZen
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
Sky Trinity
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
Mrs. Voltage
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. 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!
All Natural
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces.
Mad Jack
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
ShadowDancer
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Lumberyard
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ« Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Scare Stone
Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Parallax Sugar
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
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