Book description
We Are Not Ourselves - An Audiobook Review
Matthew Thomas's We Are Not Ourselves is a cinematic journey that the narrator brings to life with vivid, authentic voice work. The story follows Eileen Tumulty, an Irish-American immigrant in 1941 Queens who dreams of a brighter future in Bronxville. From the first moment, the audiobook immerses you in the bustling, alcohol-drunk family apartment and the hopeful hum of a young woman's aspirations.
What makes this recording stand out is how it captures the book's emotional arc without losing its lyrical quality. The narrator's warm tone mirrors Eileen's longing, while sharper inflections highlight the tension that creeps into her marriage with Ed. As the couple confronts "an inescapable darkness," the performance shifts from hopeful optimism to palpable dread-every line delivered with a subtle gravitas that keeps listeners on edge.
Critics have called the novel "stunning" and "superbly rendered." The audiobook does exactly that, translating Thomas's richly detailed prose into an engaging soundscape. You hear the clatter of dishes, the distant rumble of city life, and the quiet moments that reveal the characters' inner worlds-all without breaking the narrative flow.
For anyone who loves sweeping family sagas, We Are Not Ourselves offers a masterful listening experience. It's a testament to the American dream's promise and its pitfalls, delivered with an intimacy that only an audiobook can provide. Pick up your headphones and let Thomas guide you through a story that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
DZE
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Saturnalia
With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey.
Manimal
π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
The Belgian
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Winter Bite
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits.
Firedog
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly.
NexusNavigator
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
ReiGnZ
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Dark Matter
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ
Romance Guppy
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app.
Voluntary
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Classy Luck
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended!
Fire Feline
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Pistol Hydro
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Red Heroine
πΆββοΈπ§ Walking has never been this productive β exploring new worlds while I exercise! ποΈπ« is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Thunder Nut
I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done! Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
PP Dubs
The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
WanderWord
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit.
Moon Cricket
πΆββοΈπ Exploring stories as I stroll β audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ποΈπ§ Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings.
Spontan8ty
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically.
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