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 รฉmigrรฉs: 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."
Mum Mary
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Pinball Esq
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Darkside Isis
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Tse Tse Guy
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Kawaii Red
The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackโit's all up to me! The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
PixelPioneer
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser โ a time-saver! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app.
Snake Eyes
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. Effortless audiobook management โ this app's usability is a winner. Savoring audiobooks without complications โ this app's design is commendable.
Wolf Tribune
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience.
Forger
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This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ๐๐ง
Lilac Lizard
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Bug Fire
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. ๐ฑ๐
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Savoring audiobooks without complications โ this app's design is top-notch. The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings.
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This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source.
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This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
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The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories โ this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. ๐ฑ๐ง ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
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Lime
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Bravo to the creators of this app โ they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ๐๐
Gro
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding.
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