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
EchoEnigma
🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚
Texas Butterfly
🚶♀️🎧 Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks – pure bliss! 🏞️📚 ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Popeye Wipeout
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Mantis Queen
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
Engine Eye
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. 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! A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Spicy Thunder
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am.
Slow Trot
Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
SprkR
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word.
Intimidation Station
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch.
Guillotine
Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏
NightWonka
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. 📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧 Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Bleach
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. 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. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Street Jolly
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Spunky Chick
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. 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!
Flakes
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Day Hawk
Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Kevlar Wanted
This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. 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.
WanderWord
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
InsightInkwell
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Dorothy Solitaire
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. 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!
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