Book description
WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION FINALIST - REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK - NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER - The author of award-winning Hamnet brings the world of Renaissance Italy to jewel-bright life in this unforgettable fictional portrait of the captivating young duchess Lucrezia de' Medici as she makes her way in a troubled court. "I could not stop reading this incredible true story." --Reese Witherspoon (Reese's Book Club Pick) "O'Farrell pulls out little threads of historical detail to weave this story of a precocious girl sensitive to the contradictions of her station...You may know the history, and you may think you know what's coming, but don't be so sure." --The Washington Post Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is comfortable with her obscure place in the palazzo: free to wonder at its treasures, observe its clandestine workings, and devote herself to her own artistic pursuits. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father just as quick to accept on her behalf. Having barely left girlhood behind, Lucrezia must now enter an unfamiliar court whose customs are opaque and where her arrival is not universally welcomed. Perhaps most mystifying of all is her new husband himself, Alfonso. Is he the playful sophisticate he appeared to be before their wedding, the aesthete happiest in the company of artists and musicians, or the ruthless politician before whom even his formidable sisters seem to tremble? As Lucrezia sits in constricting finery for a painting intended to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the court's eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferranese dynasty. Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, the new duchess's future hangs entirely in the balance. Full of the beauty and emotion with which she illuminated the Shakespearean canvas of Hamnet, Maggie O'Farrell turns her talents to Renaissance Italy in an extraordinary portrait of a resilient young woman's battle for her very survival.
Bones
π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Sleek Assassin
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Solitaire
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨
Zero Charisma
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Ladybird
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Plum Moon
I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯
Indigo Red
As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Wildcat Appaloosa
π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Third Moon
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset.
VisionVoyager
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in! CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Tornado Maker
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Swing Setter
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Dredd
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Voluntary
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Pluto
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Racy Babe
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Manly
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive.
Stealth
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ
Bugger
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
ForumFlare
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
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