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.
Alberta
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best.
Preach Man
Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚
Bug Fire
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. ⭐️ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! 🧹🏰 Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions.
Coma Stalk
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Whistler
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
Clover Rabbit
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is a triumph. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Red Woman
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
RedFeet
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
Sir Shark
The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Classy Dancer
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. 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!
3P-own
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
ManManMan
👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable.
Toolmaker
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Pitfall Whiskers
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. 🎶 Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! 🎶📖 Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Ozzie Treat
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Petite Beauty
🚶♂️🌟 Staying entertained during leisurely walks – audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! 🚶♂️🎧 Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Icy Avenger
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Mental
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
xSTORMx
💃 Dancing through chores with audiobooks – this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! 🎶📚 This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Jigsaw
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
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