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.
Swing Setter
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Cosmo
ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Lady Fantastic
ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
Judge
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears.
ByteBard
This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
3P-own
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver – no more losing my place in the story! The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
Winter Bite
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. 🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Roma Kabuki
Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis.
Osprey
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. 📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫 I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. The app is worth every penny. It’s packed with features and works flawlessly.
Aqua Monsoon
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚
Pecan Oblivion
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
ThoughtTraveler
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖
Captain Peroxide
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
Contrary Mary
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
RiddleRover
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
Daffy Neo
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions.
Toy Peep
With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Springheel Jack
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
Acid Gosling
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app!
Cabbie
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
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