Book description
"A century after its first publication, this book is still capable of shocking. The opening satire is probably meaningful only to scholars of French political history, but the subsequent journey into the Far East accentuates connections between love and death, sex and depravity, fastidiousness and pleasure. And the petty, parochial corruptions of the narrator are put into context by the immersion into the Sadeian world of the Torture Garden." The Times 'This hideously decadent fin de siecle novel by the French anarchist Mirbeau has become an underground classic. A cynical first half exposes the rottenness of politics, commerce and the petit bourgeois; in the second half, our totally corrupt narrator travels to China and meets the extraordinary Clara. She shows him the Torture Garden, a place of exotic flowers and baroque sadism. There are satirical and allegorical dimensions, but it remains irreducibly horrible.' Phil Baker in The Sunday Times 'First published in 1899, the same year as Conrad's Heart of Darkness(which, in a sado-masochistic way, it mirrors), this short tale takes place in a Far Eastern garden in which torture is practised as an art form. Amidst exquisite flowers and gorgeous fauna, bodies are sliced, flayed and prised open with sumptuous artisanal skill, the whole scene rendered in prose as visceral and tender as the action it describes. When the staid realist novels of the mid-20th century have been consigned to the oblivion they so richly deserve, this text will be remembered as a classic.' Tom McCarthy in Esquire
Shadow Bishop
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Judge
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Rook
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
PixelPathfinder
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
ThickSKN
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Marigold Loot
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
THRESHmSTR
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Wooden Man
No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π«
Knock Out Star
π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
ThoughtTracer
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Spitfire
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient β it's like having a personal narrator. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ
Fast FLAK
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Golden Cougar
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Mad Rascal
ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Hoover Spark
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit.
Nessie Pork
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
ForumFusion
I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide.
Terror Master
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience.
Kazmii
πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Lime
Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
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