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.
Crash Test
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. 🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Are Ess Tee
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
CommandX
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. 🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨
Lord Pistachio
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Drop Stone
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Toy Peep
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Barbera Shift
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. 💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Tough Nut
No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨
Unleashed
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine.
ReiGnZ
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. 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!
Black Walnut
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices.
Bitmap
ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. 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.
ZenZone
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries.
Coffee
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Pexxious
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Bruh
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. 💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧 Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Boost
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Natural Mess
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
ThoughtTracer
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Jelly Camber
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful.
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