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.
Woodland Beauty
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EchoExplorer
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Tall Sally
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Digital Goddess
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Unleashed
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Palomino Cake
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Freesia
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Upper D3ckR
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Shimmy Shammy
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Duke Electro
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Riff Raff
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Amphibi-Dangerous
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Swampmasher
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Black Firefly
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Vagabond Warrior
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Moonflower
Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Voodoo Queen
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Milan Call Back
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Uncle Buddy
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process.
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