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?
Mr. Thanksgiving
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch.
Badger the Burglar
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! 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!
Paris Boost
Audiobooks on demand – this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. 🌌🎧 Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed.
Wiccan Trouble
The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. 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!
MindfulMingle
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Cumulo
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
VileHero
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
NexusNomad
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Little Drunk Girl
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax.
Tart Voodoo
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Hyper Kong
🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Mr. Fabulous
The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks. 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! A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Airport Hobo
Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Dangle
💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind.
Demo Tequila
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
NexusNomad
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece.
RiddleRover
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 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! This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Bang Shift
This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. 🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
VenusLion
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
DreamDiver
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner.
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