Book description
A new series from Europa Editions, The Passenger collects the best new writing, photography, art and reportage from around the world. IN THIS VOLUME: Ghosts of the Tsumani by Richard Lloyd Parry・Living in Shimokitazawa by Yoshimoto Banana・Why Japan Is Populist-Free? by Ian Buruma・plus: a Shinto sect in the shadow of power, feeling debts by disappearing into thin air, the decline of sexual desire, the obsession with American blues, the strongest sumo wrestler of all time (who isn's Japanese), the revenge of the Ainu and much more... Visitors from the West look with amazement, and sometimes concern, at Japan's social structures and unique, complex culture industry; the gigantic scale of its tech corporations and the resilience of its traditions; the extraordinary diversity of the subcultures that flourish in its "post-human" megacities. The country nonetheless remains an intricate and complicated jigsaw puzzle, an inexhaustible source of inspiration for stories, reflections, and reportage. The subjects in this volume range from the Japanese veneration of the dead to the Tokyo music scene, from urban alienation to cinema, from sumo to toxic masculinity. Caught between an ageing population and extreme post-modernity, Japan is an ideal observation point from which to understand our age and the one to come. "Some Japanese stories end violently. Others never end at all, but only cut away, at the moment of extreme crisis, to a butterfly, or the wind, or the moon."―Brian Phillips
Maple Destroyer
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Seattle Jay
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧
Miss Nova
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Canary Apple Red
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Teeder
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
SprkR
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Uncle Psycho
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. 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.
Lord Pistachio
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. 🎧 This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! 📚🍳 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Double Eerie
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Breadmaker
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. 🎶 Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! 🎶📖 No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me!
Lincoln Rider
💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner.
Honey
ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze.
ShadowDancer
The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. 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! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
StorySculptor
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability.
Thunder Nut
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Whip 2T
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖
ZenaCake
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
EchoExplorer
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Granola
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Bang Shift
Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
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