Book description
Translated by Noel Hernández González and Daniel HahnRodrigo Blanco Calderón has established himself as one of the great voices of Latin American literature with his debut novel The Night, and his short story collection Sacrifices.Simpatía is a suspenseful novel with unexpected twists and turns about the agony of Venezuela and the collapse of Chavismo.Simpatía is set in the Venezuela of Nicolas Maduro amid a mass exodus of the intellectual class who have been leaving their pets behind. Ulises Kan, the protagonist and a movie buff, receives a text message from his wife, Paulina, saying she is leaving the country (and him). Ulises is not heartbroken but liberated by Paulina's departure. Two other events end up disrupting his life even further: the return of Nadine, an unrequited love from the past, and the death of his father-in-law, General Martín Ayala. Thanks to Ayala's will, Ulises discovers that he has been entrusted with a mission-to transform Los Argonautas, the great family home, into a shelter for abandoned dogs. If he manages to do it in time, he will inherit the luxurious apartment that he had shared with Paulina.This novel centers on themes of family and orphan-hood in order to address the abuse of power by a patrilineage of political figures in Latin America, from Simón Bolívar to Hugo Chávez. The untranslatable title, Simpatía, which means both sympathy and charm, ironically references the qualities these political figures share. In a morally bankrupt society, where all human ties seem to have dissolved, Ulises is like a stray dog picking up scraps of sympathy. Can you really know who you love? What is, in essence, a family? Are abandoned dogs proof of the existence or non-existence of God? Ulises unknowingly embodies these questions, as a pilgrim of affection in a post-love era.
Star Jammer
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Pepper Mouse
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. 🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Flyswat Briggs
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Classy Luck
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. 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!
Spunky Chick
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Good William
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RealmRanger
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Con Mammoth
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight.
Cool Iris
The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Third Moon
🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Black Firefly
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
Easy Street
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Tall Honey
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Bambi Benz
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
101
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! 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.
Whistler
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out. 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!
ManBreaker
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Fatsy Bear
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph.
True Sweetness
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
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