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.
Sultan of Speed
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
Bowler
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀
Dez
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
ManBreaker
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
VisionVortex
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
ChatterChampion
This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Trixie
I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Cream
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories.
Forger
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. 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! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Squatch
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Trigger Warming
💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Hoboken Nightingale
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Toy Town
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
London Fox
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
High Kingdom Warrior
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Gumby Train
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Babe
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊
Scuffs
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Toy Town
Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
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