Book description
The short story is often viewed as an inferior relation to the Novel. But it is an art in itself. To take a story and distil its essence into fewer pages while keeping character and plot rounded and driven is not an easy task. Many try and many fail. In this series we look at short stories from many of our most accomplished writers. Miniature masterpieces with a lot to say. In this volume we examine some of the short stories of Anthony Trollope. Born in London on 24th April 1815 Trollope is considered a giant of English literature. His early schooling was at Harrow and Sunbury. He was often bullied due to the family’s reduced financial means exacerbated by his bad tempered father who seemed to be full of energy but lacking in any follow through to turn it into a regular income. His mother, Frances, moved with three of his younger siblings to the United States in 1827 returning only in 1831 as a successful writer. His father who had travelled with them for only a short time continued to fail. In 1834 Anthony Trollope moved with his family to Bruges in Belgium to escape the debt collectors pursuing his father. With the offer of work for the General Post Office he returned to London later that same year. The next 7 years were by his own account unproductive and miserable. However in 1841 a chance to move to Ireland for the GPO availed itself and he took it. His life began to turn around. His salary went further and his work went well and he became a valuable part of its’ work. In 1842 he met and then became engaged to Rose Heseltine and they later married in 1844. The marriage also stimulated his writing ambitions and within a year he had finished his first novel, “The Macdermots of Ballycloran”. During his long travels around Ireland he now began to write extensively often setting himself a schedule about how many words to write in a day. This discipline ensured a prolific and extensive literary catalogue in the decades to follow. In 1851 he was sent to England to organise rural delivery in part of the country. He travelled extensively for two years. In this period he began to nurture the first of the six Barsetshire novels “The Warden’ which was published to encouraging sales in 1855. Two years later, also in the same series, the famed “Barchester Towers” was published. In 1859 he wanted to contribute short stories to the Cornhill magazine, edited by William Makepeace Thackeray. His novel “Framley Parsonage” was initially printed as a serial in the magazine and proved lucrative and reputation building. Wishing to move his writing career forward he knew he should really be established back in England and preferably London. So in 1861 he sought and was appointed as Surveyor to the Eastern District, comprising Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, and most of Hertfordshire. That same year he moved to Waltham Cross, about 12 miles from London, where he lived until 1871. In 1868 he resigned from the Post Office in order to run for Parliament (being a public servant he was otherwise ineligible to run) as a Liberal at Beverley in Yorkshire. Unfortunately with vote buying and other corrupt practices prevalent he finished last of 4 candidates despite spending over £400 on the campaign. However it brought new light on to the practice and helped to clean up national politics. Thereafter he focused his attention solely on writing. In 1871 he visited Australia for a year to see his younger son, his ensuing book, though even handed, gave way to resentment on many Australians part which still simmered on a return visit some years later. Shortly before his end he returned again to Ireland to research his last and unfinished novel “The Landleaguers”. In his prolific career he had written 47 novels as well as many short stories and travel books. On December 1882 he died in London and is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.
Wheels
🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Roma Kabuki
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Lucifurious
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Highlander Monk
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Old Orange Eyes
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Heavenly Connection
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Dance Cannon
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
LocKz
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. 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.
Skylark
I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! 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!
The China Wall
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Woodland Beauty
This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Highway
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. 🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
WeldMaster
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Martini Flower
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Digital Goddess
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read.
Emerald Goddess
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Plum Moon
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. 🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Peanut Butter Woman
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. 🌌🎧 Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Tough Nut
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. 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.
The Howling Swede
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. 🚗 Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures – audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! 🚗📖 Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
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