Book description
Tolkien's Smith of Wootton Major stands as a luminous gem among his lesser-known works, a contemplative and elegantly crafted narrative that diverges from the epic scope of The Lord of the Rings to explore subtler themes of art, mortality, and the elusive boundary between the real and the imagined. Originally conceived as a preface to George MacDonald's The Golden Key, the story evolved into a deeply personal meditation on the nature of fantasy and its role in human experience. Written toward the end of Tolkien's creative life, it reflects the maturity of a mind long immersed in myth and language.
The tale follows Smith, a humble man from the village of Wootton Major, who, through an act of kindness in his youth, gains the ability to enter Faery-a realm both wondrous and perilous. Unlike the grand struggles of Middle-earth, this story unfolds with quiet introspection, examining how encounters with the numinous shape a life across time. Tolkien's prose is restrained yet evocative, carrying the weight of his lifelong scholarly engagement with myth and legend.
This audiobook edition offers more than just a reading; it presents the text with reverence, allowing the lyrical cadences of Tolkien's language to resonate anew. Accompanied by insights into the story's development and enriched by previously unpublished materials, including early drafts and Tolkien's own reflections on the essence of Faery, it provides listeners with a fuller understanding of his artistic vision. For those familiar with Tolkien's legendarium, Smith of Wootton Major reveals unexpected connections to his broader mythological world, while standing independently as a poignant exploration of creativity and transcendence.
Toe
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Scare Stone
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RedMouth
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Sky Herald
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Heavenly Connection
Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Crumb Cake
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Purity Catnip
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Street Squirrel
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Kevlar Wanted
Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Babe
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Mrs. Voltage
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Burn
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iβm in the story.
Guillotine Trigger
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Onion King
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnβt dislike it, but I also didnβt feel strongly about it one way or another. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Slinger
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Dez Bonbon
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FireBerry
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LerveDr
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ChatterChampion
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Daffy Neo
I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. 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§ Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
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