Book description
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Hardy sets out the premise of Two on a Tower in the preface as a "a wish to set the emotional history of two infinitesimal lives against the stupendous background of the stellar universe, and to impart to readers the sentiment that of these contrasting magnitudes the smaller might be the greater to them as men." Astronomy and science was of particular interest to Hardy and he was clearly knowledgeable in this area as this novel demonstrates.. The two on the Tower are Lady Viviette Constantine and Swithin St Cleeve. The former is the wife of a wealthy land owner whose husband is away in Africa and the latter a young keen astronomer who has been using the Tower, on her land, to observe the night sky. The two fall in love and their ensuing relationship allows Hardy to explore love across class and age divide fully with many compelling twists and turns.
Skool
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Nibbler
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place.
Phoenix Sparrow
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Club Nola
With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Spunky Comet
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
ForumFlare
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Miss Nova
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Serendipity
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
LifeRobber
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Undergrad Split
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Trick Baron
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Lilac Lizard
Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends.
Liquid Death
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Silver Agent
Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. 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. ππ§ I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Cosmo
I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
DeathDancer
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Bad Beh8vior
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Die Slice
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
WanderWord
Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. 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.
Trouble Mittens
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§
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