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 émigrés: 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."
Street Jolly
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖 ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Dahlia Bumble
Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Atlantic Rim
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Armed Hawk
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey.
S’more Vixen
ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Steel Cut Toe
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Despair
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have! ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Mr. Lucky
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Super Flick
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Master Jetson
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Dr. WMD
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant source of books. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Bad Bunny
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
GiddeeUP
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
TrinitySoul
I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
Dez Bonbon
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Mercury Reborn
🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Freeway
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Sleek Assassin
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
ZenZone
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Bones
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
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