Book description
Deep in a maze of musty, forgotten hallways, Mudito rummages through piles of old newspapers. The mute caretaker of the crumbling former abbey, he is hounded by a coven of ancient witches who are bent on transforming him, bit by bit, into the terrifying imbunche: a twisted monster with all of its orifices sewn up, buried alive in its own body. Once, Mudito walked upright and spoke clearly; once he was the personal assistant to one of Chile's most powerful politicians, Jerónimo de Azcoitía. Once, he ruled over a palace of monsters, built to shield Jeronimo's deformed son from any concept of beauty. Once, he plotted with the wise woman Peta Ponce to bed Inés, Jerónimo's wife. Mudito was Humberto, Jerónimo was strong, Inés was beautiful--once upon a time... Narrated in voices that shift and multiply, The Obscene Bird of Night frets the seams between master and slave, rich and poor, reality and nightmares, man and woman, self and other in a maniacal inquiry into the horrifying transformations that power can wreak on identity.Now, star translator Megan McDowell has revised and updated the classic translation, restoring nearly twenty pages of previously untranslated text that was mysteriously cut from the 1972 edition. Newly complete, with missing motifs restored, plots deepened, and characters more richly shaded, Donoso's pajarito (little bird), as he called it, returns to print to celebrate the centennial of its author's birth in full plumage, as brilliant as it is bizarre.
About the Author
One of the great Boom writers, José Donoso (1924-1996) wrote novels, novellas, short stories, and poetry. He worked stints as a shepherd in Patagonia and a stevedore in Buenos Aires before studying at Princeton and teaching at the Iowa Writers Workshop. He was twice a Guggenheim Fellow and won the William Faulkner Foundation Prize as well as Chile's highest literary honor, the National Literature Prize, among many other awards.
Scuffs
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
CirrusFlash
💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
MuseMaster
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. 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.
Super Flick
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Killer Merlot
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Poppy Coffee
🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫 Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Noisy Girl
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings.
Purity Catnip
🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. 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!
Killer Merlot
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app.
Dream Killer
📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Prone
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
Raid Bucker
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. 🚶♂️🌟 Staying entertained during leisurely walks – audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! 🚶♂️🎧
Storm Master
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Granola
📱 Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap – this app is my digital library card! 📚📱 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨
Trip
💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
QuestQuill
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Suicide Jockey
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. 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!
Texas Butterfly
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. 🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚 Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Steel Heart
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. 🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶 AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Murmur
Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. 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!
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