Book description
Douglas Oliver (1937–2000) and J. H. Prynne (b. 1936) are two of the most original and ambitious poets of the contemporary era. Eschewing the conservativism of mainstream postwar British verse and embracing influences from America and Europe, each developed their craft through continuous correspondence and exchange as part of the febrile scene of poetical community and contestation that emerged in Cambridge in the 1960s. Their works over the following decades exhibit frequent shifts in form and style, from Prynne’s radical transformation and dispersal of the lyric tradition to Oliver’s adaptation of dream visions and medieval-inspired verse satires. Their letters are a record of both the high stakes and playful experiments that constitute the writing lives of two singular poets determined not just to engage with modern political and social life during decades of crisis and upheaval, but to contribute through the circulation and publication of poetry to what Oliver calls “a community of political ethic.” Over the course of more than thirty years of friendship and mutual appreciation, the motivations for, and consequences of, their poems are constantly worked through, tested out, evaluated, and contradicted, always with a view to what the poetry means for the other, for the poetical communities they inhabit, and for the life of poetry itself. This volume collects for the first time the majority of Oliver and Prynne’s correspondence, allowing new insights into the literary, political, and historical contexts of their lives and writing. An introduction, notes, and appendices provide a scholarly apparatus to situate Oliver and Prynne among the poets and publishers with whom they worked and socialized, and to identify and expand upon their frequent references to an enormous range of source material and reading matter.“The correspondence between J. H. Prynne and Douglas Oliver is gripping and illuminating, brilliantly edited and completely absorbing. Two great poetic intelligences respond to each other’s work and to the society around them, thinking through the issues at stake in their poetic practice, their differences in approach, the different worlds they inhabit, their shared commitment to writing poetry and their admiration of each other’s work. The letters, complex as their matter can be, repay repeated reading; taken together, over a period of 33 years, they chart the context and creation of some of the most significant work in late twentieth-century poetry. This is an utterly engaging volume, and should be read by anybody interested in poetry and its place in the contemporary world.” —Ian Patterson“For writers who welcome each other as peers, the exchange of letters is the spontaneous moment of exposure, the drawing out of selves. It is thinking in mutuality. In this thoughtfully edited and carefully, even beautifully, presented correspondence between Douglas Oliver and J. H. Prynne, two of the preeminent poets of the ‘British Poetry Revival’ of the post-World War II generations, we witness two writers of immense gifts thinking with each other, coming alive to thought and, ultimately, a shared world or community of wish. There is life, there is death; there is grief, there is anger – and love – but always there is a seeking, an attempt to arrive at a language for our worlds. Henceforth, one cannot imagine reading the work of either Oliver or Prynne without this correspondence and all that it offers in openings onto what Oliver himself saw as ‘the poet’s full performance [which] is the whole life’s work.’ It is a glimpse into an athanor of poetic creation.” —Michael Stone-Richards“[A] major documentation of what was going on behind British poetry in the mid-century.” —Peter Riley in the Fortnightly Review“Luna’s glosses on the scholarly material – presented as marginal annotations rather than footnotes, and supported by a thorough introduction and well-chosen appendices – are assiduous, consistently enlightening and deployed with a lightness of touch that prevents them overwhelming the text. […] These letters […] will enrich the appreciation and understanding of both Oliver’s and Prynne’s work, and the contexts in which that work was written.” —PN Review, vol. 49, no. 4“[T]he recent volume of letters edited by Joe Luna – and produced to the usual fine standards of its publisher, The Last Books – could hardly be more absorbing and valuable.” —The Times Literary Supplement
Mustard Centaur
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Steel Cut Toe
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Dr. WMD
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. 🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized.
Cereal Killer
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Atomic Blastoid
🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Night Magnet
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Baby Brown
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧
Centurion Sherman
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Friday Fox
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving.
Delirium
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Liquid Death
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
Vixen
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. 🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖
Sneaky Lady
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Evil Smith
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Y0dler
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Tacklebox
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips.
Homerun Diva
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Contrary Mary
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. 💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧 Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
West Warrior
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference.
Barbwire
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
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