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.)
Gumby Train
β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
RiddleRanger
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done!
BuzzMouse
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ
Darkside Isis
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
New York Mood
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
K-Tin Man
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Digital Moonshine
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection.
Morbid Angel
π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear.
Hobo Samurai
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
NexusNavigator
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment.
Cupid Dust
The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Carrot Joker
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears.
Flint Cast-Iron
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Snowflake Pixie
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Greek Rifle
Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. 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.
Burn
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Hyper
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
Racy Lion
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
CuriousCraft
This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise.
Desert Haze
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear.
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