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.
Dakota Bliss
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy.
Snapple Whistler
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
RedFeet
The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Trixie
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorโs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnโt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Fatsy Bear
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration โ it's like flipping through pages. ๐ถ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators โ audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. ๐ต๐
Dewdrop Doll
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights โ it's a true audio marvel. ๐ผ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories โ a true work-life balance! ๐ป๐ ๐ง Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs โ this app has it all! ๐๐ผ I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Glyph
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnโt call it unforgettable. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Bleach
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! 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!
MindfulMingle
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Dr. Cocktail
Simplifying audiobook management โ this app's functionality is a true asset. Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's functionality is truly impressive. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature.
Shay
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly โ it's a game-changer. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Dahlia Bumble
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening.
Corny
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. Audiobook joy made simple โ this app's ease of use is commendable.
Insane SweepKick
ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
ByteBard
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ๐๐ฑ I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itโs so convenient.
Mint Ness
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ๐๐ ListenBookโs interface is clean and intuitive. Itโs a joy to use. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itโs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Voodoo Queen
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys โ this app's ease of use is a winner. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Fire Fish
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Necessary Momentum
Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Referee
๐โโ๏ธ๐ Experiencing stories while staying active โ this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. ๐ง๐๏ธ ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iโll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
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