Book description
Over seven decades, from 1940 to 2010, the pieds-noirs Cassars live in an itinerant state--separated in the chaos of World War II, running from a complicated colonial homeland, and, after Algerian independence, without a homeland at all. This Strange Eventful History, told with historical sweep, is above all a family story: of patriarch Gaston and his wife Lucienne, whose myth of perfect love sustains them and stifles their children; of François and Denise, devoted siblings connected by their family's strangeness; of François's union with Barbara, a woman so culturally different they can barely comprehend one another; of Chloe, the result of that union, who believes that telling these buried stories will bring them all peace.Inspired in part by long-ago stories from her own family's history, Claire Messud animates her characters' rich interior lives amid the social and political upheaval of the recent past. As profoundly intimate as it is expansive, This Strange Eventful History is "a tour de force...one of those rare novels that a reader doesn't merely read but lives through with the characters" (Yiyun Li).
About the Author
Claire Messud is the author of six works of fiction. A recipient of Guggenheim and Radcliffe fellowships and the Strauss Living Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, she teaches at Harvard University and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
WanderWord
This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one! A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Kingfisher
Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Nessie Pork
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. 📚👏
Nessie Pork
I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Vixen
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time.
BoomerBox
I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
BuzzBait
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. 📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡 The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow.
Toe
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. 📱 A world of books at my fingertips – this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. 📚📱
Pocket Muzzie
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits.
Metal Lady
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
SubWoof330
With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. 💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Find It Girl
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. 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.
StorySculptor
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner.
Lucky Aurora
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚
Roller Girl
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Rink Ruler
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
Chip Queen
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Murder Cherry
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Solo Kill
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
Accidental Genius
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
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