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.
Wheels
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature.
Parallax Sugar
Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Sugar Apple
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Uncle Buddy
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Manly Reno
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
CuriousCoder
🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Ember Master
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Mother Hen
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
NexusNomad
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚
Venom Charms
Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Hightower
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Pink C
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. 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!
Fast Draw
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app.
Cabbie
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Flint Cast-Iron
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable.
Sepukku
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Atlantic Rim
⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
CuriousCoder
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
VisionVoyager
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. 🚗 Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! 🚗📚
Duchess
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
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