Book description
Audiobook Review - The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
Listening to Alice Hoffman's newest novel is like stepping onto a sun-kissed beach and finding yourself wrapped in an old, fragrant shawl that smells of salt and history. From the first words, the narrator's voice-warm, husky, and perfectly pitched-draws you into St. Thomas in the early 1800s, where Rachel dreams of Paris while her mother keeps watch over a tight-knit Jewish refugee community.
Hoffman's prose glows with the lushness that made The Museum of Extraordinary Things a bestseller. She paints scenes with such detail that you can almost feel the heat on your skin and hear the distant waves. The dialogue is crisp, and the emotional beats hit hard without ever feeling melodramatic. When Rachel marries off to a widower for her family's sake, the tension builds like an ocean tide; then comes Frédérick, the young French nephew whose arrival turns that tide into a storm.
The audiobook excels in its casting: the narrator captures each character's distinct cadence-Rachel's quiet defiance, Frédérick's suave charm, and even the gentle, wise voice of the maid Adelle. The subtle shifts in tone keep you glued to the story, making the scandalous love affair feel both intimate and universal.
Critics have called it a "luminous, Marquez-esque tale," and I agree-Hoffman's enchanted realism feels like an invitation to explore a world where passion and duty collide. The narrative's heart-pounding subject matter is balanced by moments of tenderness that remind you why the characters truly resonate.
If you're looking for an audiobook that feels like a beach read with the depth of a classic, The Marriage of Opposites delivers. It's a testament to Hoffman's storytelling prowess and an audio experience you'll want to replay as often as you can.
Maple Destroyer
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Iron Jesus
Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Miss Nova
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Rando Tank
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Accidental Genius
Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Admiral Tot
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
Stallion Patton
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. ⭐️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. 🎶📖 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
HedgeH0g2
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Manly Reno
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Trick Baron
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Onion King
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Noh Noh
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Wild Kitten
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
General Broomdog
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time.
Kazmii
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Danger Menace
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. 🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳 Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. I’d 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.
Free Ham
Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Easy Sweep
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Ex0tic
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The Happy Jock
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app.
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