Book description
When Roy Fisher told Gael Turnbull in 1960 that he had ‘started writing like mad’ and produced ‘a sententious prose book, about the length of a short novel, called the Citizen’ he was registering a sea change in his work, finding a mode to express his almost visceral connection with Birmingham in a way that drew on his sensibility and a wealth of materials that could last a lifetime. Much later in his career he would say that ‘Birmingham is what I think with.’ This ‘mélange of evocation, maundering, imagining, fiction and autobiography,’ as he called it, was written ‘so as to be able to have a look at myself & see what I think.’All that was known of this work before Fisher’s death in 2017 is that fragments from it had been used as the prose sections in City and that – never otherwise published – it was thought not to have survived. This proved not to be the case, and in The Citizen and the Making of City, Peter Robinson, the poet’s literary executor, has edited the breakthrough fragment and placed it in conjunction with the first 1961 published version of Fisher’s signature collage of poetry and prose, along with a never published longer manuscript of it found among the poet’s archive at the University of Sheffield, and some previously unpublished poems that were considered for inclusion during the complex evolution of the work that Robinson tracks in his introduction.By offering in a single publication the definitive 1969 text, two variant versions of City, its prose origins in The Citizen and continuation in Then Hallucinations, as well as some of the poetry left behind, this landmark publication offers a unique insight into Roy Fisher's most emblematic work. It is supplemented with an anthology of Fisher’s own comments on City and a secondary bibliography of criticism on his profound response to changes wrought upon England’s industrial cities in the middle of the 20th century.'City's subject matter is urban, the technique a blend of the surreal, expressionist, realist and cubist, the whole thing almost cinematic in its abrupt transitions and dislocations… Most of the lineaments of Fisher's mature work are present in City…a remarkable achievement for a writer in his twenties. He sets out to write about an actual city but to "dissolve" its particulars and make them strange, until it becomes as much an inner perceptual field as a post-industrial Midlands wasteland… 'There is no poet alive whose work has challenged or interested me more.' – August Kleinzahler'Fisher stands outside, or alongside, whatever else is happening, an English late modernist whose experiments tend to come off. He is a poet of the city – his native Birmingham, which he describes as "what I think with". He is a redeemer of the ordinary, often a great artist of the visible… His range is large: he suits both extreme brevity and book-length exploration; his seeming improvisations have a way of turning into architecture. The best place to start is The Long and the Short of It. It might look and sound like nothing on earth at first, but then it becomes indispensable.' – Sean O'Brien, The Guardian
Atomic Blastoid
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧 ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Natural Gold
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening.
Parallax Sugar
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is a true gift. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
SmartieQuest
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word.
Blue Despair
Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks.
Vagabond Warrior
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Gamer Bean
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 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. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
NoiseFire
🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
Chuckles
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. 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!
InsightInkwell
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. 🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Breadmaker
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Friday Ferrari
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate.
Coffee
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Bat Magenta
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. 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. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Dr. Cocktail
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Coldy
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
GiddeeUP
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Valley Guardian
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Rando Tank
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
InsightfulInk
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. 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!
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