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.
Sleepwalker
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
Spit Turanga
Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
ThoughtTrailblazer
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Blizzard Vixen
πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§ πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. 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.
Mr. Spy
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Hang 11
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Runway Darling
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Mustard Centaur
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
42nd Street
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
DriftDetector
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Storm Master
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Trick Baron
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Toy Dogwatch
Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
HighBomber
This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Carrot Joker
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
QuantumQuill
Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. ππ§ Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Green Ghost
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
NexusNavigator
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Necessary Momentum
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Tough Nut
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
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