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.
The Beekeeper
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Necromancer
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Venious
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Pinup Diva
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
EchoExplorer
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Kazmii
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days.
Renegade Slugger
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. π₯ Simplifying my reading routine β the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ππ ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Troubled Chick
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
Alley Fiend
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
The Belgian
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Clover Rabbit
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Dancing Madman
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Cupid Dust
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Delicious Wing
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Wildcat Appaloosa
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. 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. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Moon Laser
π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨
Chameleon
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Alley Fiend
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ
Wings
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ±
Bleeker
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
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