Book description
Graceland is a dazzling debut by a singular new talent
The sprawling, swampy, cacophonous city of Lagos, Nigeria, provides the backdrop to the story of Elvis, a teenage Elvis impersonator hoping to make his way out of the ghetto. Broke, beset by floods, and beatings by his alcoholic father, and with no job opportunities in sight, Elvis is tempted by a life of crime. Thus begins his odyssey into the dangerous underworld of Lagos, guided by his friend Redemption and accompanied by a restless hybrid of voices including The King of Beggars, Sunday,Innocent and Comfort. Ultimately, young Elvis, drenched in reggae and jazz, and besotted with American film heroes and images, must find his way to a GraceLand of his own.
Nuanced, lyrical, and pitch perfect, Abani has created a remarkable story of a son and his father, and an examination of postcolonial Nigeria where the trappings of American culture reign supreme.
"A richly detailed, poignant, and utterly fascinating look into another culture and how it is cross-pollinated by our own. It brings to mind the work of Ha Jin in its power and revelation of the new."--T. Coraghessan Boyle
"A richly detailed, poignant, and utterly fascinating look into another culture and how it is cross-pollinated by our own. It brings to mind the work of Ha Jin in its power and revelation of the new."--T. Coraghessan Boyle The sprawling, swampy, cacophonous city of Lagos, Nigeria, provides the backdrop to the story of Elvis, a teenage Elvis impersonator hoping to make his way out of the ghetto. Nuanced, lyrical, and pitch perfect, this is a remarkable story of a son and his father, and an examination of postcolonial Nigeria, where the trappings of American culture reign supreme.
Abiss
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. 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. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
StarStrider
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Maple Destroyer
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
The Shield Toronto
π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Coffee
With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± 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!
Take Away
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Pyscho Hun
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Intimidating Presence
Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
EchoExplorer
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
ShadowFax
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Round Kick Boomer
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Bugger
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Mud Pie Man
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§ This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
IceDog
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. Simplifying audiobook adventures β this app's ease of use is a delight. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
StarStrider
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story.
Bitmap
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. 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!
Devil Bread
ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
NexusNomad
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
InfinityInsight
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Athens Fire
π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
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