Book description
Translated by Oonagh StranskyChildren can be cruel, and children can love as passionately as adults, more so at times. When these two facts combine and ignite the imagination of Italy's greatest contemporary novelist, extraordinary, unexpected things can come of it. Like this seemingly simply novel that bellies remarkable psychological depths and infinite degrees of enchantment. Imagine a child, a daydreamer, one of those boys who is always gazing out windows. His adoring grandmother, busy in the kitchen, keeps an eye on him. The child stares at a balcony on the opposite building, watching a black-haired girl as she dances a reckless, dangerous dance. He is in love. And a love like this can push a child to extremes. He can become an explorer or a cabin boy, a cowboy or castaway; he can fight duels to the death, or even master unfamiliar languages. His grandmother has told him about the entrance to the underworld, and he knows the story of Orpheus's failed rescue mission. Stupid man, the boy thinks. He could do better, he could bring that dark-haired up from the underground. If only he had the chance. She tells him about the entrance to the underworld, engraving indelible images in her nephew's mind. An irresistible book, as sharp as the swords of fantasy hidden under the bed, as precious as a family jewel, in which the discovery of love and the discovery of death follow each other, marking the end of childhood.The moment during childhood in which both love and death are revealed is portrayed to perfection in this latest novel by the Strega Prize-winning Italian novelist, Domenico Starnone, whose books are sharp as tacks, quick to read, and impossible to forget.
Martini Flower
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Sky
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
CyberScribe
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
ByteBard
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Blue Despair
🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Flyswat Briggs
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Alley Frog
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
Versace-Cat
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream.
Darkside Isis
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Willow Dragon
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
ThickSKN
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. 📱 Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories – this app is pure magic! 📚✨ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius.
Eye Devil
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖 The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
QuestQuill
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Twix Esses
Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny! I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
WanderWord
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. 🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 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 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!
Racy Lion
💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
Green Scavenger
🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠
Mustard Centaur
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Fatsy Bear
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Mother Hen
🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
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