Book description
The Lies They Told - A Powerful Portrait of Courage Amidst Cruelty
Ellen Marie Wiseman's The Lies They Told pulls readers into a heart-wracking yet hopeful journey set against the backdrop of 1930s rural Virginia-a place where the harsh realities of America's eugenics movement clash with the quiet resilience of ordinary people. Through Lena Conti, a young immigrant mother thrust into an unforgiving world, Wiseman weaves a narrative that feels both intimate and universal.
From the opening pages, the stakes are clear: Lena fights not only for her own dignity but for the survival of her daughter in a system that seeks to erase those it deems "unfit." Wiseman paints her characters with tenderness and depth-Lena's fierce love, Silas Wolfe's reluctant guardianship, and the tight-knit community's quiet defiance. The Blue Ridge setting becomes almost a character itself, its misty hills echoing Lena's longing for home while also symbolizing the unknown future she must navigate.
What sets this novel apart is how Wiseman balances tragedy with an undercurrent of hope. Even as Lena confronts the terrifying realities of forced sterilizations and state-run colonies, her determination shines through. The narrative never loses sight of the human spirit's capacity to endure, to protect loved ones, and to stand up against injustice.
Wiseman's prose is accessible yet evocative-every line feels like a breath taken in the quiet valleys or the tense moments before an inspection at Ellis Island. She respects her readers by avoiding heavy-handed exposition; instead, she lets the characters' actions and emotions drive the story forward. The result is a book that stays with you long after the last page.
For fans of Susan Meissner's historical empathy, Kristin Hannah's fierce protagonists, or Christina Baker Kline's lyrical storytelling, The Lies They Told offers a compelling blend of history, humanity, and an unyielding belief in hope. It is a reminder that even in the darkest times, the light of compassion can guide us toward a better tomorrow.
MythMaker
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
MuseMaster
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Firefly Caramel
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats – it truly supports all my audio needs. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Sugar Domino
ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. 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!
Vermilion
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. 📚🎧 CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Houston Rocket
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Drugstore Cowboy
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can 'read' while I work! My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Breadmaker
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
Deano
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
FRMhndshk
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
Papa Smurf
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. 💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮 ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Sir Shove
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Scuffs
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. 🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
Are Ess Tee
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! 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.
ManBreaker
⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
Willow Dragon
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
The Dude
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze.
Babe
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers.
MysticMingle
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Bad Beret
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
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