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.
MythMaker
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
SpellTansy
ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Lady Fantastic
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Cinder Coffee
πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks!
FireBerry
Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
Slacker Cat
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Bambi Wings
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§ Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
The Final Judgement
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy. 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!
GuTzd
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
East Army
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
Mallow Man
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Princess Dove
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
Zero Corn
ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Bang Shift
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Chocolate Thunder
π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. 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!
Tart Voodoo
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless.
Bitmap
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Lord Theus
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Vicious Street
ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too. 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.
Dangle
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
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