Book description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The epic tale of a brilliant woman who must reinvent herself to survive, moving from Mussolini's Italy to 1940s Los Angeles--a timeless story of love, deceit, and sacrifice from the award-winning author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena "A genuinely moving and life-affirming novel that's a true joy to read."--Celeste Ng, author of Little Fires Everywhere "A gorgeous book . . . sublime."--The New York Times (Editors' Choice) ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR, The Guardian, Booklist Like many before her, Maria Lagana has come to Hollywood to outrun her past. Born in Rome, where every Sunday her father took her to the cinema instead of church, Maria immigrates with her mother to Los Angeles after a childhood transgression leads to her father's arrest. Fifteen years later, on the eve of America's entry into World War II, Maria is an associate producer at Mercury Pictures, trying to keep her personal and professional lives from falling apart. Her mother won't speak to her. Her boss, a man of many toupees, has been summoned to Washington by congressional investigators. Her boyfriend, a virtuoso Chinese American actor, can't escape the studio's narrow typecasting. And the studio itself, Maria's only home in exile, teeters on the verge of bankruptcy. Over the coming months, as the bright lights go dark across Los Angeles, Mercury Pictures becomes a nexus of European Γ©migrΓ©s: modernist poets trying their luck as B-movie screenwriters, once-celebrated architects becoming scale-model miniaturists, and refugee actors finding work playing the very villains they fled. While the world descends into war, Maria rises through a maze of conflicting politics, divided loyalties, and jockeying ambitions. But when the arrival of a stranger from her father's past threatens Maria's carefully constructed facade, she must finally confront her father's fate--and her own. Written with intelligence, wit, and an exhilarating sense of possibility, Mercury Pictures Presents spans many moods and tones, from the heartbreaking to the ecstatic. It is a love letter to life's bit players, a panorama of an era that casts a long shadow over our own, and a tour de force by a novelist whose work The Washington Post calls "a flash in the heavens that makes you look up and believe in miracles."
Hairpin
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Twiddle Twix
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§
Bad Bunny
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind β and this app is my partner in crime. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. 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.
Intimidating Presence
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content.
Minty Devil
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover.
Mum Mary
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient.
Sleepwalker
This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
White Swan
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Bazooka Har-de-har
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover.
Sass Burst
Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading.
The Happy Jock
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Opulent Gamer
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Whip 2T
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Stick Shift
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§
Devil Blade
This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel.
Pusher
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
NexusNinja
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch.
Congo Wire
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Blade
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ππ± With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
Wild Tesla
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app.
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