Book description
In 2020, Olivia Laing began to restore an eighteenth-century walled garden in Suffolk, an overgrown Eden of unusual plants. The work brought to light a crucial question for our age: Who gets to live in paradise, and how can we share it while there's still time? Moving between real and imagined gardens, from Milton's Paradise Lost to John Clare's enclosure elegies, from a wartime sanctuary in Italy to a grotesque aristocratic pleasure ground funded by slavery, Laing interrogates the sometimes shocking cost of making paradise on earth.But the story of the garden doesn't always enact larger patterns of privilege and exclusion. It's also a place of rebel outposts and communal dreams. From the improbable queer utopia conjured by Derek Jarman on the beach at Dungeness to the fertile vision of a common Eden propagated by William Morris, new modes of living can and have been attempted amidst the flower beds, experiments that could prove vital in the coming era of climate change. The result is a humming, glowing tapestry, a beautiful and exacting account of the abundant pleasures and possibilities of gardens: not as a place to hide from the world but as a site of encounter and discovery, bee-loud and pollen-laden.
About the Author
Olivia Laing is a widely acclaimed writer and critic. She's the author of seven books, including The Lonely City, Funny Weather and Everybody. Her first novel, Crudo, was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller and won the 2019 James Tait Memorial Prize. Her work has been translated into twenty-one languages and in 2018 she was awarded a Windham-Campbell Prize for non-fiction. She lives in Suffolk, UK.
Zero Corn
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Dr. Cocktail
I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Domino
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Grinch Cheese
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Wings
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Universe Bullet
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§ ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Swedish Twizz
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Lounge Master
Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
RealmRanger
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. 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!
Ba1t
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Pink Stream
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ
Landfill Max
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Bearded Angler
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Gothic Slacker
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Candy Butcher
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
InfinityInsight
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences.
ByteBard
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Prometheus
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! 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.
Dez Bonbon
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Jester
Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
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