Book description
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 – 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy’s writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Jude the Obscure is ”the sort of man who was born to ache a good deal.” He is desperate to study at Christminster, the fictionalised Oxford University, and whilst self educated to a sufficient standard, his humble rural background prevents admission. Furthermore, he is distracted by the sensual Arabella and falls in love with the educated. emancipated new woman, Sue creating as Hardy states “a deadly war waged between flesh and spirit”. Whilst doomed love and unfulfilled ambition are the dominant themes, the frank criticism of marriage and fearless exploration of sexuality caused so much protest for its supposed indecency and the ensuing bitter criticism, made this Hardy’s final novel and many agree also his finest. The novel continues to inspire the modern mind as the recent film directed by Michael Winterbottom and starring Christopher Eccleston and Kate Winslet as Jude and Sue attests.
Universe Bullet
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Abyss Tamer
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CloudFrenzy
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. 📱 Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap – this app is my digital library card! 📚📱 The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Grave Scuttlebutt
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RetroMirage
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Coffee
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant companion for literary adventures. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel.
Washer
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Bazooka Har-de-har
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Junkyard Dog
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Mafia Princess
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner.
Patton Digger
🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Black Hole Necromancer
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Berry Succubus
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking and listening has never been this smooth – this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. 🏞️📖
Bitmap
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
NoiseFire
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse.
Twix Bond
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. 📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫
Red Woman
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Kamikaze Grandma
Simplifying audiobook management – this app's functionality is a true asset. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Lilac Lizard
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. 🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀 The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
M8deUp
💡 This app's convenience is a blessing – I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! 📱👩🍳 Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner.
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