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.
Lightening Trip
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Nice Gnome
Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
Widow Curio
🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. 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.
RedFisher
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files.
Snow Hound
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience. 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.
Snowflake Pixie
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Tokyo Dream
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts.
Lime
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Alias Stick
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze.
Green Scavenger
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Frosty Snazz
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Little Drunk Girl
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
SpellTansy
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream.
Knight Light
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. 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. 🏃♀️🎧 ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. The app is worth every penny. It’s packed with features and works flawlessly.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
42nd Street
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
LyRz
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
All Natural
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Jersey
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
Shadow Chaser
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
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