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?
Blood Taker
Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Morbid Angel
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
MythMaker
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests.
Friday Ferrari
Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
RoarSweetie
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Chip Queen
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel.
Pockets
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. 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!
Sherm
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 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!
Morbid Angel
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. 💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Nibbler
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Cosmic Presence
The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
MindfulMingle
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Roadblock
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Show Off
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days.
PixelPioneer
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Domino
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files!
Texas Butterfly
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Fire Queen
This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
ByteBard
Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
WordWanderer
🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. 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!
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