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.
ManBreaker
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
Gothic Slacker
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
Tomcat
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Dream Killer
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Betty Cricket
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments.
Uncle Psycho
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Sun Runner
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. ⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy.
NeoGermal
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Steel Heart
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Teeder
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. 🎉📚 Reigniting my passion for books – this app is my newfound reading obsession! 🔥🎧 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. I’m 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!
Mad Irishman
🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱 The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
CuriousCrafter
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Shimmy Shammy
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
QuestQuill
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes!
Intimidating Presence
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Mud Eye
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
ButterQuest
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Dr. Cocktail
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚
Day Hawk
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Pluto
💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking.
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