Book description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST
NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MICHIKO KAKUTANI, THE NEW YORK TIMES * NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TIME
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MORE THAN 45 PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING
The New York Times Book Review * The Washington Post * NPR * The New Yorker * San Francisco Chronicle * The Economist * The Atlantic * Newsday * Salon * St. Louis Post-Dispatch * The Guardian * Esquire (UK) * GQ (UK)
Little Failure is the all too true story of an immigrant family betting its future on America, as told by a lifelong misfit who finally finds a place for himself in the world through books and words. In 1979, a little boy dragging a ginormous fur hat and an overcoat made from the skin of some Soviet woodland creature steps off the plane at New York's JFK International Airport and into his new American life. His troubles are just beginning. For the former Igor Shteyngart, coming to the United States from the Soviet Union is like stumbling off a monochromatic cliff and landing in a pool of Technicolor. Careening between his Soviet home life and his American aspirations, he finds himself living in two contradictory worlds, wishing for a real home in one. He becomes so strange to his parents that his mother stops bickering with his father long enough to coin the phrase failurchka--"little failure"--which she applies to her once-promising son. With affection. Mostly. From the terrors of Hebrew School to a crash course in first love to a return visit to the homeland that is no longer home, Gary Shteyngart has crafted a ruthlessly brave and funny memoir of searching for every kind of love--family, romantic, and of the self.
Praise for Little Failure
"Hilarious and moving . . . The army of readers who love Gary Shteyngart is about to get bigger."--The New York Times Book Review
"A memoir for the ages . . . brilliant and unflinching."--Mary Karr
"Dazzling . . . a rich, nuanced memoir . . . It's an immigrant story, a coming-of-age story, a becoming-a-writer story, and a becoming-a-mensch story, and in all these ways it is, unambivalently, a success."--Meg Wolitzer, NPR
"Literary gold . . . [a] bruisingly funny memoir."--Vogue
"A giant success."--Entertainment Weekly
"[Little Failure] finds the delicate balance between sidesplitting and heartbreaking."--O: The Oprah Magazine
"Should become a classic of the immigrant narrative genre."--The Miami Herald
"As vivid, original and funny as any that contemporary U.S. literature has to offer."--Los Angeles Times
"The very best memoirs perfectly toe the line between heartbreak and humor, and Shteyngart does just that."--Esquire
"Touching, insightful . . . [Shteyngart] nimbly achieves the noble Nabokovian goal of letting sentiment in without ever becoming sentimental."--The Washington Post
"[Shteyngart is] a successor to no less than Saul Bellow and Philip Roth."--The Christian Science Monitor
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MICHIKO KAKUTANI, THE NEW YORK TIMES • NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TIME NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MORE THAN 45 PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING The New York Times Book Review • The Washington Post • NPR • The New Yorker • San Francisco Chronicle • The Economist • The Atlantic • Newsday • Salon • St. Louis Post-Dispatch • The Guardian • Esquire (UK) • GQ (UK) Little Failure is the all too true story of an immigrant family betting its future on America, as told by a lifelong misfit who finally finds a place for himself in the world through books and words. In 1979, a little boy dragging a ginormous fur hat and an overcoat made from the skin of some Soviet woodland creature steps off the plane at New York’s JFK International Airport and into his new American life. His troubles are just beginning. For the former Igor Shteyngart, coming to the United States from the Soviet Union is like stumbling off a monochromatic cliff and landing in a pool of Technicolor. Careening between his Soviet home life and his American aspirations, he finds himself living in two contradictory worlds, wishing for a real home in one. He becomes so strange to his parents that his mother stops bickering with his father long enough to coin the phrase failurchka—“little failure”—which she applies to her once-promising son. With affection. Mostly. From the terrors of Hebrew School to a crash course in first love to a return visit to the homeland that is no longer home, Gary Shteyngart has crafted a ruthlessly brave and funny memoir of searching for every kind of love—family, romantic, and of the self. Praise for Little Failure “Hilarious and moving . . . The army of readers who love Gary Shteyngart is about to get bigger.”—The New York Times Book Review “A memoir for the ages . . . brilliant and unflinching.”—Mary Karr “Dazzling . . . a rich, nuanced memoir . . . It’s an immigrant story, a coming-of-age story, a becoming-a-writer story, and a becoming-a-mensch story, and in all these ways it is, unambivalently, a success.”—Meg Wolitzer, NPR “Literary gold . . . [a] bruisingly funny memoir.”—Vogue “A giant success.”—Entertainment Weekly “[Little Failure] finds the delicate balance between sidesplitting and heartbreaking.”—O: The Oprah Magazine “Should become a classic of the immigrant narrative genre.”—The Miami Herald “As vivid, original and funny as any that contemporary U.S. literature has to offer.”—Los Angeles Times “The very best memoirs perfectly toe the line between heartbreak and humor, and Shteyngart does just that.”—Esquire “Touching, insightful . . . [Shteyngart] nimbly achieves the noble Nabokovian goal of letting sentiment in without ever becoming sentimental.”—The Washington Post “[Shteyngart is] a successor to no less than Saul Bellow and Philip Roth.”—The Christian Science Monitor
CommandX
I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Rope
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch.
Dez North
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Napoleonic Haze
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Snapdragon
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Athena Star
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening.
ThickSKN
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Alley Fiend
🛌 Indulging in soothing bedtime stories – this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. 🌙📚 Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Junkyard Dog
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. 🌌 Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. 🎧✨ Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition.
Freak
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Kabuki
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Most Wanted
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on.
ThoughtTrail
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. 🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options.
White Swan
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning.
Plegasus
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
JK Friend
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. Audiobook journey simplified – this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
Bambi Benz
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app.
Sir Squire
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Airport Hobo
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
Sidewalk Enforcer
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.
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