Book description
A dazzling, richly imagined novel about Peggy Guggenheim--a story of art, family, love, and becoming oneself--by the award-winning author of Under the Bridge, now a Hulu limited series starring Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone "Godfrey brilliantly resurrects the avant-garde adventurer Peggy Guggenheim as a feminist icon for our times."--Jenny Offill, author of Dept. of Speculation "Magnificent . . . Readers will be won over by Godfrey's incandescent portrait of a singular woman."--Publishers Weekly, starred reviewVenice, 1958. Peggy Guggenheim, heiress and now legendary art collector, sits in the sun at her white marble palazzo on the Grand Canal. She's in a reflective mood, thinking back on her thrilling, tragic, nearly impossible journey from her sheltered, old-fashioned family in New York to here: iconoclast and independent woman. Rebecca Godfrey's Peggy is a blazingly fresh interpretation of a woman who defies every expectation to become an original. The daughter of two Jewish dynasties, Peggy finds her cloistered life turned upside down at fourteen, when her beloved father perishes on the Titanic. His death prompts Peggy to seek a life of passion and personal freedom and, above all, to believe in the transformative power of art. We follow Peggy as she makes her way through the glamorous but sexist and anti-Semitic art worlds of New York and Europe and meet the numerous men who love her (and her money) while underestimating her intellect, talent, and vision. Along the way, Peggy must balance her loyalty to her family with her need to break free from their narrow, snobbish ways and the unexpected restrictions that come with vast fortune. Rebecca Godfrey's final book--completed by her friend, the acclaimed writer Leslie Jamison, following Godfrey's death in 2022--brings to life the woman who helped make the Guggenheim name synonymous with art and genius.
About the Author
Rebecca Godfrey (1967-2022) was an award-winning novelist and journalist. Her books include The Torn Skirt, finalist for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, and the award-winning true-crime story Under the Bridge, adapted as a Hulu limited series starring Riley Keough as Rebecca Godfrey. Godfrey earned her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and taught writing at Columbia University. She lived with her husband and daughter in upstate New York. Leslie Jamison's books include The Empathy Exams, The Recovering, the novel The Gin Closet, and the memoir Splinters. She teaches at Columbia University and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Plenty Orange
Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
VPR
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Wild Kitten
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Dove Dolce
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth.
Jade Fox
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Lskeee
This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Rusty Vortex
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Landfill Max
👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
MrOnsTr
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Spunky Sphinx
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family.
Queen Bee
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Kazami of Truth
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Pusher
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app.
Little General
The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Wrangler Jim
👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Winded On Friday
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Roller Turtle
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Knight Light
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
Swedish Pixie
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Kinged
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened. 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.
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