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.
Sneaky Lady
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Dangle
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Wooden German
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. 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.
Microwave
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app.
RedFisher
🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨 The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Crumb Cake
With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Moon Cricket
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. 🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Energy
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. 💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚
Gullyway
🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Pink C
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Rink Ruler
🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match.
Sun Leo
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities.
ThoughtTracer
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. 🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
NightWonka
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Video Game Heroine
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Admiral Tot
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. 📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟
Gingersnap Woman
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Lucky Aurora
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Pink Hopper
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning.
Alley Cat
💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 📚 Embracing reading in the digital age – this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. 📱🎉 ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
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