Book description
Award-winning author Willy Vlautin explores loneliness, art, addiction, regret, love, and hard-won empathy in this poignant novel - his most personal to date - that captures the life of a journeyman musician unable to escape the tragedies of his past. Al Ward lives on an isolated mining claim in the high desert of central Nevada fifty miles from the nearest town. A grizzled man in his sixties, he survives on canned soup, instant coffee, and memories of his ex-wife, friends and family he's lost, and his life as a touring musician. Hampered by insomnia, bouts of anxiety, and a chronic lethargy that keeps him from moving back to town, Al finds himself teetering on the edge of madness and running out of reasons to go on - until a horse arrives on his doorstep: nameless, blind, and utterly helpless. Al hopes the horse will vanish as mysteriously as he appeared. Yet the animal remains, leaving him in a conundrum. Is the animal real, or a phantom conjured from imagination? As Al contemplates the horse's existence - and what, if anything, he can do - his thoughts are interspersed with memories of his life as a musician, from the moment his mother's part-time boyfriend gifts him a 1959 butterscotch blonde Telecaster, to the day his life as a traveling musician begins. He joins various bands - all who perform his songs once they discover his talent-playing casinos, truck stops, clubs, and bars. He falls in love, and finds pockets of companionship and minor success along the way. Never close to stardom or financial success, he continues as a journeyman for decades until alcoholism and a heartbreaking tragedy lead him to the isolation of the barren Nevada desert. A poignant meditation on art, addiction, loneliness, heartbreak, and the reality of life on the road in smalltime bands, The Horse is a beautiful, haunting tale from an author working at the height of his powers.Review"I loved this novel so much, though it broke my heart again and again. No one anywhere writes with such power and such stark beauty about American desperation and want, American loneliness and heartache. We need Willy Vlautin like we needed Johnny Cash, like we needed Larry McMurtry - he's essential and every book he writes proves it all over again." -Joe Hill, author of Full Throttle and Strange Weather "There's not another writer out there, living or dead, that I trust with my heart more than Willy Vlautin, and he breaks it every damn time. In Al Ward's love and loss, in his decency, his pathos, and his struggle to endure, Vlautin has gifted us a paean to the power of song. The Horse is another classic from one of America's greatest storytellers." -Jonathan Evison, author of Again and Again "I loved The Horse like I love all Willy Vlautin joints - for its melodic prose and its unflinching heart. This terrific parable of art and aging, laced within the bittersweet story of an old casino musician, is like the literary equivalent of a classic album by Tom Waits or Townes Van Zandt." -Jess Walter, author of The Cold Millions and Beautiful RuinsAbout the AuthorWilly Vlautin is the author of the novels The Motel Life, Northline, Lean on Pete, The Free, Don't Skip Out on Me, and The Night Always Comes. He is the founding member of the bands Richmond Fontaine and The Delines.
Jack Cassidy
ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! 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!
Badger the Burglar
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Black Walnut
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Sugar Man
ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Vixen
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
DeathDancer
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Ozzie Treat
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling.
Rosie Bird
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Flash Protein
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DragonBlood
Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Gabriel Dandelion
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Raid Bucker
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. 💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧
The Shield Toronto
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly.
Zero Corn
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. 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.
HolyCombo
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧
Achilles Mountain
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Eye Devil
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Martini Flower
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Legacy
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Grotas
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
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