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.
Murder Matter
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
xFRST
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Avenge Paws
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Sand Whiskers
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Trick Baron
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! 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!
Miss Twilight
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Burst Nibbler
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content.
Microwave Chardonnay
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Gamer Bean
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true triumph. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Hermopolis
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Snowflake Pixie
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. 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.
Storm Master
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ« Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits.
Pexxious
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Black Fantastic
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Highlander Monk
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy.
Preach Man
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Dez North
This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done!
Dahlia Bumble
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic.
Tomcat
This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Manimal
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app makes each day a new adventure! ππ Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments.
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