Book description
A darkly humorous and spellbinding detective story that chronicles one Mississippi man's relentless search for an authentic portrait of William Shakespeare. Following his divorce, down-and-out writer and Mississippi exile Lee Durkee holed himself up in a Vermont fishing shack and fell prey to a decades-long obsession with Shakespearian portraiture. It began with a simple premise: despite the prevalence of popular portraits, no one really knows what Shakespeare looked like. That the Bard of Avon has gotten progressively handsomer in modern depictions seems only to reinforce this point. Stalking Shakespeare is Durkee's fascinating memoir about a hobby gone awry, the 400-year-old myriad portraits attached to the famous playwright, and Durkee's own unrelenting search for a lost picture of the Bard painted from real life. As Durkee becomes better at beguiling curators into testing their paintings with X-ray and infrared technologies, we get a front-row seat to the captivating mysteries--and unsolved murders--surrounding the various portraits rumored to depict Shakespeare. Whisking us backward in time through layers of paint and into the pages of obscure books on the Elizabethans, Durkee travels from Vermont to Tokyo to Mississippi to DC and ultimately to London to confront the stuffy curators forever protecting the Bard's image. For his part, Durkee is the adversary they didn't know they had--a self-described dilettante with nothing to lose, the "Dan Brown of English portraiture." A lively, bizarre, and surprisingly moving blend of biography, art history, and madness, Stalking Shakespeare is as entertaining as it is rigorous and will forever change the way you look at one of history's greatest cultural and literary icons.
Blue Despair
π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Universe Bullet
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. Audiobooks made delightful β this app's usability is a breath of fresh air.
Bleach
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
RawSkills
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! 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!
Knock Out Star
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Moxie
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
JK Friend
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back!
Indestructible Potato
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks.
StorySculptor
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Round Kick Boomer
I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface β it's a true delight. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ±
Vixen
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow.
Bleachers
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
HolyCombo
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ
PixelPioneer
πΌ Making every minute count β this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. π±π CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
NightDream
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
HOV
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. π The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. π±π CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
Diamond Gamer
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Scratch Man
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver. Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Sweet Bacon
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Con Mammoth
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ
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