Book description
Perfect for fans of Circe and Black Sun, this bold and subversive feminist retelling of the Greek myth of Psyche and Eros explores the power of queer joy and freedom. Young, headstrong Psyche has captured the eyes of every suitor in town and far beyond with her tempestuous beauty, which has made her irresistible as a woman yet undesirable as a wife. Secretly, she longs for a life away from the expectations and demands of men. When her father realizes that the future of his family and town will be forever cursed unless he appeases an enraged Aphrodite, he follows the orders of the Oracle, tying Psyche to a rock to be ravaged by a monstrous husband. And yet a monster never arrives. When Eros, nonbinary deity of desire, sees Psyche, she cannot fulfill her promise to her mother Aphrodite to destroy the mortal young woman. Instead, Eros devises a plan to sweep Psyche away to an idyllic palace, hidden from the prying eyes of Aphrodite, Zeus, and the outside world. There, against the dire dictates of Olympus, Eros and Psyche fall in love. Each night, Eros visits Psyche under the cover of impenetrable darkness, where they both experience untold passion and love. But each morning, Eros flies away before light comes to break the spell of the palace that keeps them safe. Before long, Psyche's nights spent in pleasure turn to days filled with doubts, as she grapples with the cost of secrecy and the complexities of freedom and desire. Restless and spurred by her sisters to reveal Eros's true nature, she breaks her trust and forces a reckoning that tests them both--and transforms the very heavens. Told in bold and sparkling prose from "a brilliant and luminous writer" (Madeline Miller, New York Times bestselling author), The Palace of Eros transports us to a magical world imbued by divine forces as well as everyday realities, where palaces glitter with magic even as ordinary people fight for freedom in a society that fears the unknown.
About the Author
Caro De Robertis is the award-winning and bestselling author of several books, including The Palace of Eros, The President and the Frog, Cantoras, and more. Their work has been translated into eighteen languages and has garnered numerous honors including a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, two Stonewall Book Awards, Italy's Rhegium Julii Prize, and the John Dos Passos Prize for Literature, which they were the first openly nonbinary person to receive. De Robertis is also an award-winning literary translator and a professor at San Francisco State University. They live in Oakland, California, with their two children. Find out more at CaroDeRobertis.com.
Sly Silvermoon
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Paris Boost
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Morbid Sugar
The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Mallow Man
Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. 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!
High Heel Goddess
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Super Flick
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Bruh
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
MuseMaster
Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Runway Darling
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Sky Bully
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Pearl Girl
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. 📚🎧 A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Fadey
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Tin Fox
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Woodland Beauty
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
Sick Saurus
This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
EchoEnigma
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. 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. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Heaven Sent
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
California Goddess
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖 ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Sokol
🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
BuzzBait
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
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