Book description
From one of America's most beloved storytellers: a dazzling tapestry of love and faith, memory and imagination that questions what it means to look back and accept one's place in history. In 1971, Harley Mann revisits his childhood, recounting his family's move to Florida's swamplands--mere miles away from what would become Disney World--to join a community of Shakers. "Eerily timely. Can what's gone wrong in the past offer keys to the future? The Magic Kingdom confronts our longings for Paradise; also the inner serpents that are to be found in all such enchanted gardens." --Margaret Atwood, author of The Testaments, via Twitter Property speculator Harley Mann begins recording his life story onto a reel-to-reel machine, reflecting on his youth in the early twentieth century. He recounts that after his father's sudden death, his family migrated down to Florida to join a Shaker colony. Led by Elder John, a generous man with a mysterious past, the colony devoted itself to labor, faith, and charity, rejecting all temptations that lay beyond the property. Though this way of life initially saved Harley and his family from complete ruin, when Harley began falling in love with Sadie Pratt, a consumptive patient living on the grounds, his loyalty to the Shakers and their conservative worldview grew strained and, ultimately, broke. As Harley dictates his story across more than half a century--meditating on youth, Florida's everchanging landscape, and the search for an American utopia--the truth about Sadie, Elder John, and the Shakers comes to light, clarifying the past and present alike. With an expert eye and stunning vision, Russell Banks delivers a wholly captivating portrait of a man navigating Americana and the passage of time.
Sir Squire
π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ 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. ππ§ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer β my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Dallas Burn
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
King Bass
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends.
Moon Laser
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit.
Sugar Domino
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Firecracker
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Minty Devil
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Demolition Queen
Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful!
Mr. Thanksgiving
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Mallow Man
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Omega Sub
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ Simplifying audiobook adventures β this app's ease of use is a delight.
Honey
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Wings
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable.
ShadowDancer
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Fire Queen
π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Mirage
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
Contrary Mary
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
MuseMaster
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use.
Brick Mooch
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Sherwood Gladiator
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences.
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