Book description
A fearless young woman from a small African village starts a revolution against an American oil company in this sweeping, inspiring novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Behold the Dreamers. ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, People - ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, The Christian Science Monitor, Marie Claire, Ms. magazine, BookPage, Kirkus Reviews "Mbue reaches for the moon and, by the novel's end, has it firmly held in her hand."--NPR We should have known the end was near. So begins Imbolo Mbue's powerful second novel, How Beautiful We Were. Set in the fictional African village of Kosawa, it tells of a people living in fear amid environmental degradation wrought by an American oil company. Pipeline spills have rendered farmlands infertile. Children are dying from drinking toxic water. Promises of cleanup and financial reparations to the villagers are made--and ignored. The country's government, led by a brazen dictator, exists to serve its own interests. Left with few choices, the people of Kosawa decide to fight back. Their struggle will last for decades and come at a steep price. Told from the perspective of a generation of children and the family of a girl named Thula who grows up to become a revolutionary, How Beautiful We Were is a masterful exploration of what happens when the reckless drive for profit, coupled with the ghost of colonialism, comes up against one community's determination to hold on to its ancestral land and a young woman's willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of her people's freedom.
Essex
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Voodoo Cyclone
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Good William
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Lady Q
ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Casanova
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. 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.
MrOnsTr
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
Nutmeg Riot
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
LunaStar
I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Classy Dancer
Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Old Regret
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. π This app is a game-changer β its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. ππ§
Plenty Orange
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Short Firecracker
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am.
Divine Bramble
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. 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.
Spoiler
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Tall Honey
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Vixen
Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! 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!
42nd Street
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable.
Y0dler
With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. 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!
Lightweight
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries.
Count Eagle
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
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