Book description
October 17, 2023
Just finished listening to Wiseguy on audiobook. Honestly, it hit harder than I expected. Pileggi didn't just write a book; he handed us Henry Hill's voice, raw and unfiltered, through the speaker. That opening line - "I'm Henry Hill" - it's not just the Goodfellas hook. Hearing it read aloud, with Hill's own words, it's like someone slid a cold, wet towel over your face. You're suddenly in the room, smelling the stale beer and fear.
The audiobook's genius is how it makes the mundane terrifying. Not just the hits or the heists, but the routine of it all. The way Hill describes picking up his wife for a drive, casually mentioning a hit he just ordered, then complaining about her new dress. It's chilling how normal it all felt to him. The spending sprees, the mistresses, the loyalty oaths - it's all laid bare, not as glamour, but as a suffocating, violent code. You hear the exhaustion in Hill's voice when he talks about the constant fear, the way a single wrong word could end you. Pileggi's journalism background shines; he doesn't moralize. He just lets Hill's words do the work, and the horror is undeniable.
Listening, I kept thinking about how Scorsese got it right. The film's power comes straight from this book, and hearing it narrated - Hill's own story, told to Pileggi - makes the movie feel like a ghost of the real thing. The violence isn't cartoonish; it's the quiet, brutal reality of a life lived on borrowed time. The intimacy is the thing. You hear the hesitation when Hill talks about his wife, the casual cruelty when he dismisses a rival. It's not about the Mafia; it's about a man who chose a cage, then spent his life trying to escape it, only to find the bars were inside him. This audiobook isn't just history. It's a warning whispered in the dark, and it's impossible to forget. You won't just read about Henry Hill. You'll hear him. And that's the real, unsettling power of this story.
Shade Nightman
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
Scarlet Mary
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Metal Aphrodite
πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Pexxious
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Homerun Diva
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! πΆββοΈπ§ Walking has never been this productive β exploring new worlds while I exercise! ποΈπ« I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient.
Eerie
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
Sand Whiskers
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ
Trixie Doodle
π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Hairpin
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Flyswat Briggs
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Palomino Cake
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Stealth
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Vicious Street
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Tacklebox
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Santa's Little Helper
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze.
Prometheus
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
CZR
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Tunez
This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Kazmii
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
Good William
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
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