Book description
Imagine hearing a story where every note of music feels like it's vibrating inside you. That's The Instrumentalist on audio, and it's utterly captivating. Harriet Constable doesn't just tell Anna Maria's story-she makes you feel her silent hunger, her desperate need to be heard. You'll be spellbound from the first whisper of Vivaldi's violin, pulled into a world where ambition is as sharp as a bow on a string. The Telegraph was right: it's "tightly tuned as a thriller," but this is a thriller of the soul, where every rising note carries the weight of rivalry, resentment, and the fierce, fragile hope of a girl with no name but everything to prove.
The audiobook is pure magic. You don't just read about Anna Maria's talent-you hear the way it transforms, the way Vivaldi's mentorship ignites something unstoppable. And when her star begins to eclipse his, the tension isn't just in the plot; it's in the silence between the notes, the way the narrator lets you feel that quiet, dangerous shift. As Kiran Millwood Hargrave said, it's a "marvel," and that's because Constable doesn't just write history-she breathes life into it. The Guardian called it "full of colour and sound," and that's exactly how it lands on audio: vibrant, immersive, a feast for the ears. You'll feel the velvet of the Venetian opera house, smell the ink on Vivaldi's scores, and ache with Anna Maria as she fights to claim her place in a world that wants her invisible.
What makes this so special is how it balances the grand sweep of history with intimate, human stakes. It's "historical fiction as it should be written," as the Mail on Sunday put it, because Constable never lets facts overshadow feeling. You're swept up in Anna Maria's dizzying ambition-not just to play, but to be, to leave a mark that can't be erased. The Observer called it a "compassionate coming-of-age tale," and that's the heart of it: this is about music as a lifeline, as proof that you matter. When the narrator delivers lines like "Her story will be heard," you don't just hear the words-you feel the echo of every voice that's ever been silenced.
This isn't just a great book; it's a experience you'll carry with you long after the final note fades. Elodie Harper was right: "Vibrates with colour and passion... I was completely swept up." And that's the gift of the audiobook-it doesn't just tell you Anna Maria's story. It lets you live it, breath by breath, note by note. For anyone who's ever felt invisible, who's ever fought for their voice, this isn't just a book. It's a reminder: sometimes, the loudest music is the one you never knew you were making.
Blade
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Beo
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Bad Bunny
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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!
Canary Apple Red
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
Coma Stalk
As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Tough Nut
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way.
Miss Mustard
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Prometheus
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Pecan Oblivion
I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
Homerun Diva
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Metal Star
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
xFRST
This app makes traffic jams a breeze β time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day.
Storm Master
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Greek Rifle
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Purity Catnip
The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Nutmeg
ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Mud Pie Man
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
Geneva Cuffs
πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
Daffy Neo
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! 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.
Gingersnap Woman
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
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