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.
Gothic Gucci
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Baked ZD
No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Darling Peacock
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π
Tokyo Dream
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Athens Fire
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient β it's like having a personal narrator. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Drop Stone
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Stickers
π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Racy Babe
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears.
Skool
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Buckshot
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
VenusLion
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
B@d B0y
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. ListenBookβs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Tall Honey
π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Eight Patrol
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. 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! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Tweety Bun Bun
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around.
Lady Pomegranate
This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Kitchen
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
RZRWRE
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures.
Pepper
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
Bugger
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
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