Book description
Audiobook Review - The First Bad Man by Miranda July
Miranda July's debut novel is an audio experience that feels like stepping into a living, breathing art installation. The narrator-an unflinching, warm-voiced talent-captures the book's playful edge and its underlying tenderness with equal ease. From the opening line, you're pulled into Cheryl Glickman's meticulously ordered world: a woman who believes in romances that span centuries, who works at a women's self-defense nonprofit, and who lives alone in a house that suddenly becomes shared with her boss's twenty-year-old daughter, Clee.
The narration does more than simply read the words; it brings out July's signature blend of humor and heart. Cheryl's dry observations are delivered with a crisp timing that highlights their irony, while Clee's brash personality is rendered through a slightly sharper cadence, making her "selfish, cruel blond bombshell" feel both larger-than-life and intimately human. The dynamic between these two women-one who has built a life of routine, the other who bursts in like an unexpected storm-unfolds with a natural ebb and flow that keeps you hooked.
One of the audiobook's strongest moments is how it handles the book's "raging sexual fantasies." Rather than becoming gratuitous, the narrator treats them with subtlety and respect, allowing the listener to feel the intensity without losing the story's emotional core. The sensual scenes are interwoven seamlessly into Cheryl's internal monologue, making her journey of self-discovery both compelling and relatable.
What truly sets The First Bad Man apart is how the audio format amplifies its themes of love, transformation, and maternal bond. The narrator's tone shifts from a measured calm to an almost whispered intimacy when Cheryl confronts her deepest fears and desires. This sonic journey mirrors the book's narrative arc-from order to chaos, then back to a new equilibrium.
If you're looking for a story that is "tender, gripping, slyly hilarious," this audiobook delivers on all fronts. Miranda July proves herself not just as a filmmaker or artist but as an original voice in contemporary literature. The narration transforms her prose into something alive and immediate, making The First Bad Man an unforgettable listening experience for anyone who loves stories that challenge expectations while offering a warm, unexpected love story at their core.
RedMouth
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Cujo
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon.
Shadow Gal
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ
Rooster
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Lady Q
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app.
Blink
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon.
Runway Darling
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
Athens Fire
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Iβm 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!
RDTN
π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Maple Destroyer
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. 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.
Stealth
πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Duchess
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze!
Swerve
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Bambi Benz
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app.
Wildcat Appaloosa
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient β it's like having a personal narrator. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Mad Irishman
ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
SWAT Honey
π₯ Simplifying my reading routine β the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ππ CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Switch
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Nickname Master
I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
Troubadour
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
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