Book description
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' CHOICE - The captivating, deeply reported true story of how one of the most notorious novels ever written--Marquis de Sade's 120 Days of Sodom--landed at the heart of one of the biggest scams in modern literary history. "Reading The Curse of the Marquis de Sade, with the Marquis, the sabotage of rare manuscript sales, and a massive Ponzi scheme at its center, felt like a twisty waterslide shooting through a sleazy and bizarre landscape. This book is wild."--Adam McKay, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Described as both "one of the most important novels ever written" and "the gospel of evil," 120 Days of Sodom was written by the Marquis de Sade, a notorious eighteenth-century aristocrat who waged a campaign of mayhem and debauchery across France, evaded execution, and inspired the word "sadism," which came to mean receiving pleasure from pain. Despite all his crimes, Sade considered this work to be his greatest transgression. The original manuscript of 120 Days of Sodom, a tiny scroll penned in the bowels of the Bastille in Paris, would embark on a centuries-spanning odyssey across Europe, passing from nineteenth-century banned book collectors to pioneering sex researchers to avant-garde artists before being hidden away from Nazi book burnings. In 2014, the world heralded its return to France when the scroll was purchased for millions by Gérard Lhéritier, the self-made son of a plumber who had used his savvy business skills to upend France's renowned rare-book market. But the sale opened the door to vendettas by the government, feuds among antiquarian booksellers, manuscript sales derailed by sabotage, a record-breaking lottery jackpot, and allegations of a decade-long billion-euro con, the specifics of which, if true, would make the scroll part of France's largest-ever Ponzi scheme. Told with gripping reporting and flush with deceit and scandal, The Curse of the Marquis de Sade weaves together the sweeping odyssey of 120 Days of Sodom and the spectacular rise and fall of Lhéritier, once the "king of manuscripts" and now known to many as the Bernie Madoff of France. At its center is an urgent question for all those who cherish the written word: As the age of handwriting comes to an end, what do we owe the original texts left behind?
BuzzBait
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Tacklebox
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Twix Esses
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
Cujo
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. 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! 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!
Mr. Thanksgiving
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
Cross Thread
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Betty Cricket
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback.
Ladysmith
Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
ThoughtTracer
💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Flotsams54
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks.
Gas Man
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Shy Warrior
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Widow Curio
I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Danger Menace
I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Shwatson
I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Thunder Tank
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Sylvester Eye
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient.
Flame OUT
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Shade Nightman
is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
DuckDuck
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. 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!
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