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.
Hairpin
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯ ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Red Hot Kevorkian
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Mother Hen
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
Mosquit-No
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
Classy Luck
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Hemingway Mirmillone
Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Little Drunk Girl
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books.
Jo Jo Spooky
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Moon Orchid
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§
Acid Queen
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again.
Shady Lady
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! 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!
Chip Queen
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Pyscho Hun
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ
LuminaLore
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Darkside Orbit
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Ozzie Treat
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Daffy Neo
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly.
Mallow Man
π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Mirage
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Princess Dove
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth.
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