Book description
Inspired by the Greek myth of Alcestis, this poetry collection brings to life myriad voices who venture beyond the known world and exist between realities. In Greek mythology, Alcestis descends to the mysterious kingdom of death in her beloved's place. In The Alcestis Machine, Carolyn Oliver's second poetry collection, loss and queer desire echo across the multiverse. "In another life, I'm a . . ." sea witch or swineherd, vampire or troubadour, florist or fossil or museum guard, Oliver writes. These parallel personas inhabit space stations and medieval villages, excavate the Devonian seabed, and plumb a subterranean Anthropocene. In possible futures and imagined pasts, they might encounter "all wrong turns and broken signs" or carry "a suitcase full of stars." Oliver's poems are animated by lush, unsettling verse and forms both traditional and experimental. The Alcestis Machine demonstrates how very present absence can be and how desire knows no boundaries. In neighborhood subdivisions or the vast reaches of space, it's impossible to know "whose time is slipping / again." Anyone "could come loose / from gravity's shine."
About the Author
Carolyn Oliver is the author of Inside the Storm I Want to Touch the Tremble. Her most recent chapbook is Night Ocean. Born in Buffalo and raised in Ohio, she now lives with her family in Massachusetts. Her website is carolynoliver.net.
The Beekeeper
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. 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! This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Boo
Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Breadmaker
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧
Tan Stallion
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Skirble
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day.
Noisy Girl
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life – it's incredible. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Old Regret
I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Bruh
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable.
Athena Star
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
MythMaker
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate.
Digital Equinox
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Starshine
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Easy Street
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling.
Double Eerie
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.
Bliss
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
Little General
This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. 🛌 Indulging in soothing bedtime stories – this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. 🌙📚 The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
PixelPioneer
This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Mr. Spy
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Nutmeg
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧
BloodEater
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
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