Book description
June 12th, 2024
Just finished Unmentionable on audiobook while walking the dog, and I'm still laughing. Honestly, Therese Oneill has done something miraculous: she's made Victorian etiquette feel like the most scandalous, relatable thing ever. I'd been bracing for dry history, but this is pure, unadulterated wit-like your sharpest, most scandalous friend whispering secrets over tea.
The narrator (a delightfully deadpan British voice) reads lines like "a pot of cold pee sits under your bed" with such casual horror that I snorted into my coffee. And the reasons? "Shush, dear. A lady doesn't question." I kept pausing the audiobook to text my sister: You HAVE to hear this about the crotchless underwear. (Spoiler: It's not for comfort. It's for modesty while sitting on a hard chair. The sheer, baffling logic of it all.)
What's brilliant is how Oneill doesn't mock the women of the era-she honors them. The book's heart is in revealing how fiercely they navigated a world designed to silence them. Hearing about the arsenic in face cream or the panic of "menstruating loathsome addiction" (yes, that's a quote) isn't just funny-it's a quiet tribute to their resilience. The illustrations mentioned in the blurb? The audiobook description of them ("a gentleman's very stiff waistcoat, drawn with alarming precision") made me picture the whole thing in my head.
And oh-the modern gratitude. I listened while scrolling through my phone (yes, modern life is so much better), and the book's closing line-"ecstatically grateful to live in an age of pants, super absorbency tampons, epidurals"-had me wiping tears of relief. I've never felt so grateful for my period products and my ability to wear pants without a corset.
This isn't just a history book. It's a love letter to the women who survived the absurdity, and a reminder that humor is the sharpest tool we have. I'll never read Pride and Prejudice the same way again. Now I know why Elizabeth Bennet was so damn relieved to marry Mr. Darcy. She'd been living in a world where "wedding night" meant "don't faint, dear, and try not to scream."
If you've ever wondered what it really felt like to be a Victorian woman, this audiobook is your secret, hilarious, utterly human guide. And honestly? It's the only history lesson that made me grateful for my own messy, modern life. I'll be buying it for my book club. And maybe a copy for my mom. She'll appreciate the "cold pee pot" detail. (She's a bit of a history nerd, but not this kind of history.)
Neophyte Believer
ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Swedish Twizz
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life.
PixelPilgrim
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Peanut Butter Woman
🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Low Menace
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Mr. Wholesome
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
FireBerry
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. 🚗 Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! 🚗📚 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧
Sokol
Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. 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.
Proper
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Senior Smurf
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. 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!
Fresh Peper
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. 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! ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Good William
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Good William
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process.
Riff Raff
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! 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.
Papa Smurf
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. 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. 📱🔊 Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊 Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧
Venom Petunia
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Fire Queen
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats – it truly supports all my audio needs. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Hog Butcher
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Accidental Genius
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Delirious Supernova
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
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