Book description
Hear the clatter of hammers on stone, the murmur of monks in the cloister, the sharp cry of a stonecutter's apprentice. Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth isn't just read-it's lived, especially in this superb audiobook. The narrator doesn't just tell you about twelfth-century Kingsbridge; they pull you into its muddy streets, its timber-framed alleys, and the very heart of the cathedral being built stone by stone. You feel the grit of the quarry dust, hear the debate over Gothic arches, and sense the weight of every decision made by Tom Builder, the master craftsman whose vision defies the odds.
Follett's genius lies in making history breathe. Here, the setting isn't backdrop-it's a character. The audiobook's pacing mirrors the slow, deliberate work of the stonemasons: deliberate, immersive, never rushed. You hear the tension in Philip's voice as he navigates monastic politics, the quiet desperation in Jack's hands as he shapes stone, and Aliena's fierce resilience as she fights for her place in a world that tries to crush her. The narrator gives each voice its own texture-Philip's authority, Ellen's eerie calm, the raw urgency of a betrayed man on the scaffold. You don't just learn about the hanging that kicks off the story; you feel its horror, its ripple through the town.
What elevates this beyond a historical epic is how the cathedral itself becomes the emotional core. The audiobook captures the almost spiritual awe of the building process: the way stone dust settles in the air, the chants echoing in the half-finished nave, the quiet pride of a mason placing his final stone. Follett weaves romance, betrayal, and political intrigue around this central act of creation, and the audiobook makes it all feel immediate. You're not just hearing about the siege of Kingsbridge-you're bracing for the next arrow, heart pounding with the townsfolk.
The TV tie-in edition's timing is perfect for this. If you've ever wondered what medieval England sounded like-the clink of armor, the rustle of woolen robes, the guttural chants of the crowd-this audiobook delivers it. It's not just a story about building a cathedral; it's about building a world, a community, and the human stories that rise and fall with the stones. Follett's most beloved novel gains new depth through sound, where every word carries the weight of history, sweat, and hope. You'll find yourself pausing the audiobook just to sit with the quiet moment of a completed arch, the sound of wind through the newly risen spire, and realize you've been transported, stone by stone, into the heart of the Middle Ages. This isn't just a great book-it's a living, breathing experience you'll carry long after the final stone is laid.
RightN0w2
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
IdeaAlchemy
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Cool Law Topping
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Bazooka Har-de-har
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Short Firecracker
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Bug Blitz
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. Iβm 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 Iβve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Doughboy, Esq
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Ozzie Treat
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§ Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
NexusNinja
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
ManBreaker
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve 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! This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Cosmic Presence
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. 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.
SneakerKid
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
Shadow Chaser
ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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! The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
German Coach
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Muzish
ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Kickstart
Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Fire Bite
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
CuriousCoder
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Titanium Ladybug
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Hairpin
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
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