Book description
"The interesting contribution of this book . . . is his indictment of the culture-makers. It has become unfashionable to seem too concerned. To make climate change the theme or setting of a novel, Ghosh writes, is 'to court eviction from the mansion in which serious fiction has long been in residence.' His bigger point is that we need a change of narrative. But to do this means that those who make our narratives need to lead the way, to bring their talents of storytelling to bear on what is, he writes, no less than an 'existential danger.'"- New York Times"Ghosh, who has previously broached environmental questions in fiction (The HungryTide, the Ibis trilogy, and elsewhere), here steps back from the role of storyteller to analyze modern literature, history, and politics. His purpose is to show that all three cultural modes share assumptions that render climate change unthinkable, occluding our view of its dangers rather than aiding our understanding. . . . To tackle climate change, we would need not only to overcome climate denialism and our reliance on fossil fuels, but also our commitment to moral uplift. The radical restructuring of global power requires more than a good conscience and respect for individuals. From this perspective, the humanities and human sciences confront their greatest challenge armed only with rusting tools forged for another age. 'The climate crisis is,' as Ghosh writes, 'also a crisis of culture, and thus of the imagination.'" - Times Literary Supplement"Ghosh is one of the most important living writers writing in English."- Los Angeles Review of Books"A short but broad-ranging and consistently stimulating indictment of our era of the 'great derangement.' . . . The Great Derangement is a bracing reminder that there is no more vital task for writers and artists than to clear the intellectual dead wood of a vulgarly boosterish age and create space for apocalyptic thinking - which may at least delay, if not avert, the catastrophes ahead." - Guardian"In his first work of long-form nonfiction in over 20 years, celebrated novelist Ghosh 'perhaps the most important question ever to confront culture': how can writers, scholars, and policy makers combat the collective inability to grasp the dangers of today's climate crisis? Ghosh's choice of genre is hardly incidental; among the chief sources of the 'imaginative and cultural failure that lies at the heart of the climate crisis,' he argues, is the resistance of modern linguistic and narrative traditions-particularly the 20th-century novel-to events so cataclysmic and heretofore improbable that they exceed the purview of serious literary fiction. . . . In this concise and utterly enlightening volume, Ghosh urges the public to find new artistic and political frameworks to understand and reduce the effects of human-caused climate change, sharing his own visionary perspective as a novelist, scholar, and citizen of our imperiled world." - Publishers Weekly"The exciting and frightening thing about Ghosh's argument is how he traces the novel's narrow compass back to popular and influential scientific ideas-ideas that championed uniform and gradual processes over cataclysms and catastrophes. One big complaint about science -that it kills wonder-is the same criticism Ghosh levels at the novel: that it bequeaths us 'a world of few surprises, fewer adventures, and no miracles at all.' Lawfulness in biology is rather like realism in fiction: it is a convention so useful that we forget that it is a convention. But, if anthropogenic climate change and the gathering sixth mass extinction event have taught us anything, it is that the world is wilder than the laws we are used to would predict. Indeed, if the world really were in a novel-or even in a book of popular science-no one would believe it." - New Scientist"The Great Derangement . . . begins with a simple question-why have the arts (literature and fiction in particular) been unable and unwilling to grapple with the greatest crisis facing the planet, anthropogenic climate change?-and runs in thrillingly unpredictable directions with it. . . . The Great Derangement bristles with trenchant and dense ideas, expressed with exemplary lucidity and finesse. At a time when the idea of the engagé intellectual is not just unfashionable, but in full-blown retreat, here is a book that triumphantly announces its return." - New Statesman"In this elegant book, Ghosh explains how literary fiction came to avoid depicting the uncanny, the nonhuman, the improbable, and the aggregate. His exploration of the relationship between British imperialism and Asia's carbon economy shows that our constructions of history are as deranged as our literature. In short, we are in denial. . . . Ghosh finds hope in art's tendency to envision possibilities, as well as in the activism of religious communities." - Christian Century"Don't be deterred by this book's academic appearance. Ghosh, an award-winning novelist, takes a fascinating look at how literature and history (as well as politics) have sidestepped or grossly simplified the scale and urgency of climate change. By doing so, we have been conditioned to doubt stories that feel too apocalyptic. The climate crisis, as Ghosh explains, is also a crisis of culture, and thus of the imagination."- LA Times"Resistance to the grim realities of climate change is so widespread that the crisis barely figures in literary fiction, notes writer Amitav Ghosh. Branding our era of denial and inertia the Great Derangement, Ghosh looks in turn at literature, history and politics to examine this failure, noting that extreme events such as 2012's Hurricane Sandy are so freakish that they seem inexpressible. The solution, he argues, lies in collective action as well as scientific and governmental involvement - and in a resurgence in our imaginative capacity to envision human existence anew." - Nature"One of its central themes is that writers, artists and filmmakers, including himself, have largely ignored climate change-'the great derangement' of the title- simply because it seems too far-fetched and terrifying. But does it really make a difference if authors write about climate change? 'Making a difference isn't the point; the point is to examine the meaning of the arts. If we believe that the arts are meant to look ahead, open doors, then how is this huge issue of our time, absent from the arts? It's like death, no one wants to talk about it.'" - Guardian"Ghosh... [argues] that the blind pursuit of economic growth is a derangement in need of fundamental reform."- Geographical"Ghosh refers to our current climate predicament as a 'great derangement', a collective reluctance to face up to the reality of how the crisis will affect our lives. Pretending that we can bypass people and democracy is, to my mind, the ultimate derangement."- Guardian"Ghosh's latest book, The Great Derangement, is a j'accuse issued against all those literary writers who abdicated their social responsibility by being indifferent to the climate crisis-by far the greatest predicament facing humanity. . . . As The Great Derangement emphasises throughout, the crisis of language is at the heart of every human predicament. And now, if our writers are not leading the way, we're more than doomed." - Sunday Guardian Live (New Delhi)"For a long time, we have been talking about climate change as a scientific question. In this magnificent book, Ghosh changes the conversation, moving it out of the narrow corridors of science and into the wide precincts of culture, politics, and power. Climate change, he argues, is the result of a set of interrelated histories that promoted and sustained our collective dependence on fossil fuels, and it is a kind of derangement to say we want a different world but act in a way that ensures the continuance of the present one. A clarion call not just to act on climate, but to think about it in a wholly new way."- Naomi Oreskes, author of The Collapse of Western Civilization: A View from the Future"With the deftness of a master storyteller and the powerful vision of a keen political observer, Ghosh traces the complex ways that globalization, empire, and the bourgeois novel are entangled with the history of carbon and our contemporary climate crisis. A thrilling, often brilliant work of synthesis and imagination, The Great Derangement is essential reading for anyone trying to understand what the Anthropocene means for our human future." - Roy Scranton, author of Learning to Die in the Anthropocene: Reflections on the End of Civilization"Ghosh's analysis of the 'era of climate change' is fascinating, erudite, and unflinching. The Great Derangement is a profoundly original book that spares no one."- Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History"Captivating. . . .The lightness and agility of Ghosh's writing succeeds in keeping all the urgency and the shadows of something we cannot really look at: the destiny of mankind." - Giorgio Agamben"On very rare occasions, a writer marshals such searing insight and storytelling skill that even a well trodden subject is blown wide open. New connections are made, new futures appear. Ghosh is that kind of writer, and this is that kind of book."- Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything"Ghosh has written brilliant fiction, impactful essays. But this work on climate change is the most transformational and powerful piece of writing to come from his pen. The Great Derangement is a book on our burning planet for those who are burning it and are being burnt with it. Ghosh gives us, in scalding anguish, a masterpiece that reflects the Buddha''s Adittapariyaya Sutta or 'The Fire Sermon' that T S Eliot so plangently re-affirmed in 'The Waste Land.' We have here a book that seeks to chastise, challenge, and change our brain's clogged circuitry." - Gopalkrishna Gandhi"For decades Ghosh has been telling us exquisite stories of unlikely human connection across geographical and historical boundaries. In The Great Derangement he goes a step further and sets us amidst the great collectivity of a living and dying planet. This intensely lyrical work from a visionary writer at his best calls for a restitution of the sacred-in its most inclusive form-so that we can face the climate crisis of our times with our finest remaining resources." - Leela Gandhi, Brown University"A stupendous return to non-fiction. . . . Ghosh charts our progress, our cultures, history, politics, and its environmental fallout, as delicately and firmly as a Buddhist monk resolutely scattering coloured sand to create a mandala. Pixel by pixel, in distant corners of a canvas, he builds his arguments. Through the three sections of The Great Derangement, he carves a picture out of seemingly disparate global and local events and trends. And when you step back, slowly, inch by inch, a grander story is revealed-our story. We get to see a picture so grotesque and distorted that it is impossible to look away. And we look on, transfixed by a singular conclusion-climate change is on us." - LiveMint (India)"...Ghosh argues that at the very time it is becoming clear that the situation is "in every sense a collective predicament", we find ourselves living in the age of the individual. The Great Derangement is a reminder that there are no more vital tasks for writers, artists and politicians than to confront the existential environmental crisis we face and imagine new ways of living."- Independent jQuery(function() { jQuery( "#tabs" ).tabs(); });
StarZen
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
CosPlatoon
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. 📱 Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap – this app is my digital library card! 📚📱 Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Brick Mooch
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook!
Muzish
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Blackfire
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Unleashed
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Rooster
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 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.
Twine X
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible!
Pixie
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption.
Berry Succubus
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win.
Firecracker
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
General Finish
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
Casanova
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears.
DriftDetector
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off. 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.
Saturnalia
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
Mallow Man
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Trip
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Dropkick
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. 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.
Helmet Destroyer
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ 🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱 ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Knuckles
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
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