Book description
Audiobook Review - The Magician by Colm Tóibín
Listening to The Magician is like stepping into a living, breathing archive of the twentieth century. Tóibín's narrative, already celebrated on paper as a "feat of literary sorcery," shines even brighter when voiced by a cast that brings each character's voice and era to vivid life.
From the very first notes, the narrator sets the scene in a small German town at the cusp of modernity, with Thomas Mann's childhood layered over the hum of industrial progress. The subtle inflections capture his internal conflict: a son torn between filial duty and a secret yearning for art-and for love that society will not accept. As the story unfolds across continents-Munich, Switzerland, France, Princeton, Los Angeles-the narrator's tone shifts smoothly, reflecting the changing moods of each setting without losing the thread of Mann's personal journey.
What truly elevates this audiobook is its meticulous attention to historical texture. The soundscape is rich with period-appropriate music and ambient sounds: the clatter of a train in Berlin, the distant echo of war drums, the soft murmur of a café in Paris. These elements ground listeners in each epoch, making the rise of Hitler, the horrors of World War II, and the chill of the Cold War feel immediate rather than abstract.
The emotional core-Mann's lifelong battle with his desires, his family obligations, and the moral dilemmas posed by history-is delivered with a quiet intensity. The narrator never oversells; instead, subtle pauses and gentle crescendos allow the weight of each revelation to settle naturally. When Mann finally receives the Nobel Prize, the music swells just enough to underline the triumph without turning it into melodrama.
Listeners will also appreciate the way Tóibín intertwines his own life with that of his protagonist. The audiobook subtly hints at the author's perspective through reflective passages, giving a meta-layer that enriches the listening experience.
In short, The Magician audiobook is an immersive journey that combines literary brilliance with stellar narration and sound design. Whether you're a fan of historical sagas or simply looking for a compelling story to accompany your commute or workout, this recording delivers every page's promise-savoring each moment from start to finish.
Proper
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Dez Bonbon
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Tart Voodoo
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Cosmo
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Drop Stone
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Blade
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. 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!
Purity
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Little Cobra
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BuzzMouse
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Iron Butterfly
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze.
Twinkle Cutlass
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
RoarSweetie
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
Pink Nightmare
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Grotas
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Thunder Nut
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again.
Silver Cup
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Marine Dre
I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. 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. 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.
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ShadowFax
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Voodoo Cyclone
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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