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."
Steel Heart
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉
Pigeon Woman
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Shimmy Shammy
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Vortex
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Vermilion
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Pink Stream
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VenusLion
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever.
Blinker
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PixelPioneer
Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
VenusLion
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
RealmRanger
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Blistered Outlaw
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Burst Nibbler
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
VileHero
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ZenaCake
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Doll Champagne
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Rusty Vortex
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs.
Spicy Thunder
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BearDrift
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Frosty Sunshine
💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮 Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
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