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?
Nueva Nova
🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Mr. Peppermint
Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊 Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
Valley Guardian
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. 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!
DreadSherX
⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Broomspun
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Waylay Dave
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. 📱 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! 📚🔥 Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Waylay Dave
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps.
Skylark
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. 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.
Die Slice
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
LocKz
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests.
Murmur
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. 🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
The Beekeeper
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers.
Jetta Talent
🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. 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.
Moon Solitaire
Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Bad Beret
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Video Game Heroine
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. 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!
QuestQuill
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Swedish Pixie
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. 🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving. 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!
Pocket Muzzie
💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊
Blood Taker
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
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