Book description
First published in 1831, Honore de Balzac’s The Hidden Masterpiece, or Le Chef-d’oeuvre inconnu, is a short story that deals with the theme of artistic creativity and appreciation. It has influenced a variety of literary men and artists including the American novelist Henry James and the renowned painter Pablo Picasso. The latter’s magnum opus, Guernica, is believed to be inspired from Balzac’s tale. Set in the beginning of the seventeenth century, the story tells of Nicholas Poussin, an art apprentice who decides to visit a famous Parisian painter named Porbus to learn from him. When he reaches his workshop, he finds him with his own master, an aged man named Frenhofer. The tale involves the artists in discussions on the craft of painting reality and bringing life to art. Like the mythological characters of Frankenstein and Pygmalion, Frenhofer defies God by playing his role when he dares create life and materialize Mary of Egypt on one of his canvases. However, the story ends tragically when Frenhofer disappoints his two admirers with the absurdity of his last painting. The feeling of failure and despair push Frenhofer to commit suicide.
Demo Zero
This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life – it's incredible. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Gentle Avenger
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
QuestWeaver
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Intimidation Station
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
Tootsie Killer
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Ginger Chaos
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Sky Trinity
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats!
Easy Mac
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Roller Turtle
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Moon Cricket
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion.
PixelPioneer
I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Racy Babe
🎧 This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! 📚🍳 An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Despair
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. 🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧
Crumb Cake
⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner.
Virgo Moon
🚗📖 On-the-go listening has never been smoother – this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. 🚗📚 This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Lilac Lizard
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. 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. 📚🎧 A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
New York Mood
📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Sw33per
🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖
Darkside Orbit
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Electric Saturn
🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
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