Book description
The Whispering Mountain by Joan Aiken: A Howling Good Time
Let's get one thing straight: if you're looking for a bedtime story about fluffy bunnies and rainbows, this isn't it. Joan Aiken's "The Whispering Mountain" is the literary equivalent of handing a toddler a kazoo instead of a rattle - beautifully crafted, slightly alarming, and guaranteed to make some noise.
Our hero Owen gets shipped off to the charmingly named town of Pennygaff (population: apparently everyone with a dark secret) where he immediately stumbles into what can only be described as the most elaborate harp-related kidnapping scheme in British children's literature. Because nothing says "family adventure" like a prophetic golden instrument and a villain so delightfully evil, he's literally called Lord Mayln. Yes, with an 'n' at the end. Subtlety was clearly not Aiken's strong suit.
The plot barrels along with all the grace of a runaway train, dragging Owen and his sidekick Arabis through underground labyrinths populated by creatures that sound like they escaped from a Victorian fever dream. It's like "The Chronicles of Narnia" got drunk and stumbled into a Gothic novel. There's murder, kidnapping, and savage beasts - though knowing this is children's literature, the beasts are probably just misunderstood and the murder is definitely off-screen.
Aiken, bless her, comes from a family tree that apparently grew both poetry and plot twists. With credentials including a Pulitzer-prize winning father and enough literary awards to wallpaper a modest study, she brings a certain gravitas to the whole enterprise of scaring children while simultaneously winning them over. The Guardian Prize for Fiction winner here proves that children's books can be both terrifying and award-worthy.
The real magic lies in how Aiken treats her young readers like actual humans with functioning brains, not delicate porcelain dolls who might shatter at the mention of actual stakes. This audiobook deserves a narrator with the theatrical flair to deliver Lord Mayln's diabolical schemes without breaking into nervous laughter at the sheer audacity of it all.
Perfect for children who enjoy their adventures with a side of existential dread and parents who appreciate irony in their offspring's entertainment choices.
The Shield Toronto
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ
360
π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
Lady Petal
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Delicious Wing
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
Fire Bite
I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Bazooka Har-de-har
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Dark Burn
π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Sand Whiskers
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Daffy Neo
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Fire Bite
π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Thumb Candy
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
Judge
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Metal Aphrodite
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Sass Burst
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Granola Dove
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use.
Risen
Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
Broomspun
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Feral Mayhem
π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Pinball Wizard
Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Mad Kid
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy.
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