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.
FrankenGrin
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! 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! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Hemingway Mirmillone
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Maple Destroyer
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Steel
🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Pocket Mazda
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
NeoGermal
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
CuriousCoder
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Flash Protein
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
RiddleRanger
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Toxic-oxide
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Moon Orchid
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Moxie
🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Intimidation Station
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚
3P-own
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests.
Back Bett
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Trick Baron
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Cricket
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
InsightInkwell
No more hassle with formats – this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Metal Aphrodite
Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Fire Queen
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable.
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