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.
Crossing Guard
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Instant Star
Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§ Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Burn
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Duchess
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. 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. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Screwtape
πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
Tabasco Dracula
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Firedog
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Dallas Foxface
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Knock Out Star
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. π This app's functionality is a masterpiece β it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. ππ¨ Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. ππ 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!
Show Off
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Tootsie Killer
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Contrary Mary
Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Swedish Twizz
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Show Off
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ππ§ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Icy Avenger
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The Final Judgement
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Manly Reno
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Lord Pistachio
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Thunder Tank
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
LuminaLore
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
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