Book description
Finn Longman's "The Wolf and His King" transforms Marie de France's medieval werewolf tale into something remarkably fresh. This audiobook succeeds brilliantly at what Longman does best: taking ancient stories and making them feel urgently contemporary without losing their historical soul.
The narrative follows Bisclavret, a knight struggling with his lycanthropy while trying to maintain his place in a rigid feudal society. What makes this retelling exceptional is how it handles the relationship between Bisclavret and the young king. Longman crafts their connection with careful attention to both characters' isolation-the king lonely on his throne, Bisclavret isolated by his condition. Their growing bond feels earned rather than rushed, developing naturally through shared moments of vulnerability and duty.
The author's background in medieval literature shows in the authentic period details, but never overwhelms the story. Instead, Longman uses historical elements to enhance emotional truths about identity, loyalty, and acceptance. The audiobook format works particularly well here, allowing listeners to experience the internal struggles of both characters through nuanced vocal performances that capture the tension between public duty and private desire.
What sets this apart from other fantasy retellings is its refusal to shy away from the political implications of Bisclavret's situation. His position as both knight and monster creates genuine conflict with the kingdom's power structures, making his relationship with the king feel both romantic and dangerous. The supernatural elements serve the story rather than overshadowing it, creating stakes that matter for both personal and political reasons.
Longman's academic expertise in friendship and affection from medieval literature translates beautifully into Bisclavret and the king's relationship. Their connection builds slowly, grounded in mutual respect and growing understanding rather than instant attraction. This approach makes their eventual intimacy more satisfying and their separation more heartbreaking.
The audiobook excels at maintaining tension between the personal and political narratives. While Bisclavret deals with his transformation and the king navigates court politics, external threats to the kingdom create additional pressure. The pacing keeps multiple storylines moving forward without sacrificing character development or emotional depth.
Listeners familiar with medieval literature will appreciate the respectful treatment of the source material, while those new to the genre will find this an excellent entry point. Longman manages to be both scholarly and accessible, creating something that works as entertainment while maintaining literary merit. The result is a queer retelling that feels both historically grounded and thoroughly modern, proving that old stories can still surprise us when told by the right voice.
Darkside Hooker
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Evil Smith
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
Winter Bite
Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Gold Dahlia
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
VisionVortex
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Rosie Bird
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
21st Street
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Spitfire
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. π₯ Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger β this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. π±π
The Final Judgement
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer.
Boost
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Lady Pomegranate
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ± ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
DragonBlood
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Chip Queen
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. 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!
Necessary Momentum
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Cereal Killer
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Spoiler Betty
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a triumph. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Shimmy Shammy
Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Mechani-Man
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. 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!
Back Bett
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Po1son
Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. 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! ππ§ ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments.
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