Book description
Winner of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Fiction Winner of the Gotham Book Prize One of Barack Obama's "Favorite Books of the Year" Oprah's Book Club Pick Named one of the Top Ten Books of the Year by the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and TIME Magazine A Washington Post Notable Novel From the author of the National Book Award-winning The Good Lord Bird and the bestselling modern classic The Color of Water, comes one of the most celebrated novels of the year. In September 1969, a fumbling, cranky old church deacon known as Sportcoat shuffles into the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project in south Brooklyn, pulls a .38 from his pocket, and, in front of everybody, shoots the project's drug dealer at point-blank range. The reasons for this desperate burst of violence and the consequences that spring from it lie at the heart of Deacon King Kong, James McBride's funny, moving novel and his first since his National Book Award-winning The Good Lord Bird. In Deacon King Kong, McBride brings to vivid life the people affected by the shooting: the victim, the African-American and Latinx residents who witnessed it, the white neighbors, the local cops assigned to investigate, the members of the Five Ends Baptist Church where Sportcoat was deacon, the neighborhood's Italian mobsters, and Sportcoat himself. As the story deepens, it becomes clear that the lives of the characters--caught in the tumultuous swirl of 1960s New York--overlap in unexpected ways. When the truth does emerge, McBride shows us that not all secrets are meant to be hidden, that the best way to grow is to face change without fear, and that the seeds of love lie in hope and compassion. Bringing to these pages both his masterly storytelling skills and his abiding faith in humanity, James McBride has written a novel every bit as involving as The Good Lord Bird and as emotionally honest as The Color of Water. Told with insight and wit, Deacon King Kong demonstrates that love and faith live in all of us.
Gabriel Dandelion
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done!
Feline Devil
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Blue Despair
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. π±π The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Barbwire
AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Pop Bee
ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Zorkle Sporkle
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Desert Haze
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Vermilion
π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Voluntary
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Gothic Gucci
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
Saint La-Z-Boy
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Doughboy, Esq
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Liquid Science
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Prof. Screw
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! 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!
101
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. πΌ Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! π»π πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯
WanderWord
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
Lightening Trip
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Slow Trot
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking has never been this productive β exploring new worlds while I exercise! ποΈπ« CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
LocKz
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
ByteBard
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine.
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