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.
Squatch
ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. 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.
Swing Setter
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Heartbreaker
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Charms
Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Morbid Sugar
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. 🎧 Audiobooks anywhere, anytime – this app's convenience is unbeatable! 🌟📚 I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
MuseMaster
The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Miss Mustard
ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Red Hot Kevorkian
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. 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.
Trash Master
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Lady Petal
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 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!
Kill Switch
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source.
Bleeker
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. Savoring audiobooks without fuss – this app's design is impressive. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Sleek Assassin
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Sky
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic.
Lime
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
QuestWeaver
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Daisy Stick
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Clover Dragon
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Goldman
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy.
Gothic Gucci
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. 🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
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