Book description
Named a Top 100 Must-Read Book of the Year by Time and a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker Winner of the 2024 Writers' Prize for Nonfiction Shortlisted for the Inaugural Women's Prize for Nonfiction * Longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize New York Times bestselling author Laura Cumming "combines first-rate art history with deeply felt memoir" (The Washington Post) in this fascinating, little-known story of the massive explosion in Holland that killed Carel Fabritius, renowned painter of The Goldfinch and A View of Delft and nearly killed Johannes Vermeer--two of the greatest artists of the 17th century. "Exquisite." --Simon Schama, The Guardian As a brilliant art critic and historian, Laura Cumming has explored the importance of art in life and can give us a perspective on the time and place in which the artist worked. Now, through the lens of one dramatic event in 17th-century Holland, Cumming "has fashioned a book that combines memoir, art criticism, and history to illuminating effect" (The New York Times Book Review). In 1654, the Thunderclap--an enormous explosion at a gunpowder store--devasted the city of Delft, killing hundreds of people, including the extraordinary painter Carel Fabritius, and injuring thousands more. Framing the story around the life of Fabritius, Cumming illuminates this extraordinary moment in art history while also writing about her own father, a painter. Like Dutch art, the story gradually links country, city, town, street, house, interior--all the way to the bird on its perch, the blue and white tile, the smallest seed in a loaf of bread. The impact of a painting and how it can enter our thoughts, influence our view and understanding of the world is the heart of this book. Cumming has brought her unique eye to her most compelling subject yet. Featuring beautiful full-color images of Dutch paintings throughout, this is "a glorious tribute to the two men who showed her the truth of the notion that paintings offer 'a land in themselves, a society, a place to be'" (The Economist).
About the Author
Laura Cumming has been the art critic of The Observer (London) since 1999. Previously, she was arts editor of The New Statesman (UK), literary editor of The Listener (UK), and deputy editor of Literary Review. She is a former columnist for The Herald (Scotland) and has contributed to the Evening Standard (London), The Guardian, L'Express, and Vogue. Her book The Vanishing Velazquez was a New York Times bestseller, a Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was longlisted for the Bailie Gifford Prize.
West Warrior
ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
Sneaky Lady
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Curio
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Old Man Winter
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
MindfulMingle
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. 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's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Hoboken Nightingale
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Mad Rascal
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's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
New York Winder
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing.
Rosie Bird
The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Devil Blade
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
DollFaceKillah
Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Sass Burst
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes. 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!
Domino Combat
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π
Mr. Wholesome
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Kabuki
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app.
Scooby Did
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Hex Panther
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze.
Sugar Man
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. 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!
Storm Master
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable.
NexusNavigator
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
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