Book description
Unlocked: The Story Behind the Silence
What if a virus didn't just change your body, but fundamentally altered how humanity communicates? John Scalzi's "Unlocked" isn't your typical audiobook experience - it's more like eavesdropping on history as it unfolds.
The narrative unfolds through voices you won't soon forget. There's the virologist whose discovery of the Haden's syndrome virus changes everything, speaking with the careful precision of someone who understands they're documenting the end of one world and the beginning of another. The politician's testimony carries the weight of impossible decisions, while the affected individuals share their experiences with a raw honesty that cuts through clinical detachment.
Scalzi masterfully crafts this oral history format, letting each voice build upon the last like layers in an archaeological dig. The audiobook format proves perfect for this approach - hearing these testimonies spoken aloud adds an intimacy that written words alone couldn't achieve. You're not just reading about a pandemic; you're listening to humanity adapt in real time.
The production quality deserves mention. Each speaker feels distinct, their voices carefully chosen to reflect the diversity of experiences Scalzi portrays. The pacing allows moments of tension to breathe while keeping the overall narrative momentum driving forward.
What makes "Unlocked" particularly compelling is how it functions both as a standalone experience and as a gateway into Scalzi's larger Lock In universe. You don't need prior knowledge of his other works to appreciate this story, yet it enriches the reading of what follows.
This audiobook succeeds because it understands that the most interesting stories aren't always about heroes making grand gestures. Sometimes they're about ordinary people explaining extraordinary circumstances, and how those circumstances reshape what it means to be human.
Referee
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Light Despair
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MysticMingle
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Abyss Tamer
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Little General
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King Bass
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Cosmo
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Red Hot Kevorkian
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Ladysmith
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Flint
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Eerie
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Valley Guardian
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Mental
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Sir Shove
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ThickSKN
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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