Book description
The extraordinary secret life of a great novelist, which his biographer could not publish while le Carré was aliveA Spectator Book of the Year 2023'Not merely the conclusive homage to a compulsively fascinating character, but an insightful study into the biographical process itself' Nicholas Shakespeare'Now that he is dead, we can know him better.'Secrecy came naturally to John le Carré, and there were some secrets that he fought fiercely to keep. Nowhere was this more so than in his private life. Apparently content in his marriage, the novelist conducted a string of love affairs over four decades. To keep these relationships secret, he made use of tradecraft that he had learned as a spy: code names and cover stories, cut outs, safe houses and dead letter boxes.Such affairs introduced both jeopardy and excitement into what was otherwise a quiet, ordered life. Le Carré seemed to require the stimulus they provided in order to write, though this meant deceiving those closest to him. It is no coincidence that betrayal became a recurrent theme in his work.Adam Sisman's definitive biography, published in 2015, revealed much about the elusive spy-turned-novelist; yet le Carré was adamant that some subjects should remain hidden, at least during his lifetime. The Secret Life of John le Carré is the story of what was left out, and offers reflections on the difficult relationship between biographer and subject. More than that, it adds a necessary coda to the life and work of this complex, driven, restless man.The Secret Life of John le Carré reveals a hitherto-hidden perspective on the life and work of the spy-turned-author and a fascinating meditation on the complex relationship between biographer and subject. 'Now that he is dead,' Sisman writes, 'we can know him better.'
Miss Rum Punch
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Pinup Diva
With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Black Firefly
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
Hang 11
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Bad Princess
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Willow Dragon
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time.
Tall Honey
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Undergrad Split
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. 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! 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.
Alberta
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. 🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
StorySculptor
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever.
Knock Out Star
Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Pixie Soldier
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift.
Carrot Joker
Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
FLAK Angel
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. Simplifying audiobook management – this app's functionality is a true asset. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! 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.
Green Scavenger
Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Shady Prairie
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Twine X
Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Black Mustard
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps.
Fl00d
The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Prof. Screw
With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. 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!
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