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.)
RightN0w2
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Moon Cricket
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Sultan of Speed
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CZR
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch.
3D Waffle
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Dr. Jam Man
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Midnight Rider
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly.
Killer Curio
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
MysticMingle
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Blackfire
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BearDrift
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Electric Saturn
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Granola
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Twiddle Twix
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Kazami of Truth
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Crash Test
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
PepperBurst
📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫 Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Con Mammoth
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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