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."
Thrasher
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Bad Princess
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Switch
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Silent
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Scrapple
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Wiccan Trouble
This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight.
Rooster
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth.
MindfulMingle
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Bad Beh8vior
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Liquid Science
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Dove Dolce
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Miss Rum Punch
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Sleek Zelda
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Sidewalk Enforcer
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Dance Bloom
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360
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ
Pink Hopper
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TeederSmartie
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable.
Twix Bond
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Brick Mooch
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze.
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