Book description
WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZENEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERFINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDA stunning debut novel by a masterful writer telling the heartwrenching story of a young boy and his alcoholic mother, whose love is only matched by her pride.Shuggie Bain is the unforgettable story of young Hugh "Shuggie" Bain, a sweet and lonely boy who spends his 1980s childhood in run-down public housing in Glasgow, Scotland. Thatcher's policies have put husbands and sons out of work, and the city's notorious drugs epidemic is waiting in the wings.Shuggie's mother Agnes walks a wayward path: she is Shuggie's guiding light but a burden for him and his siblings. She dreams of a house with its own front door while she flicks through the pages of the Freemans catalogue, ordering a little happiness on credit, anything to brighten up her grey life. Married to a philandering taxi-driver husband, Agnes keeps her pride by looking good--her beehive, make-up, and pearly-white false teeth offer a glamorous image of a Glaswegian Elizabeth Taylor. But under the surface, Agnes finds increasing solace in drink, and she drains away the lion's share of each week's benefits--all the family has to live on--on cans of extra-strong lager hidden in handbags and poured into tea mugs. Agnes's older children find their own ways to get a safe distance from their mother, abandoning Shuggie to care for her as she swings between alcoholic binges and sobriety. Shuggie is meanwhile struggling to somehow become the normal boy he desperately longs to be, but everyone has realized that he is "no right," a boy with a secret that all but him can see. Agnes is supportive of her son, but her addiction has the power to eclipse everyone close to her--even her beloved Shuggie.A heartbreaking story of addiction, sexuality, and love, Shuggie Bain is an epic portrayal of a working-class family that is rarely seen in fiction. Recalling the work of Γdouard Louis, Alan Hollinghurst, Frank McCourt, and Hanya Yanagihara, it is a blistering debut by a brilliant novelist who has a powerful and important story to tell.
Kazmii
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
JigKraken
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Fire Sass
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Mr. 44
π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ππ ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
German Coach
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Day Hawk
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Hog Butcher
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
CuriousCrafter
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Venious
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Houston
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Spellbinder
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Lil Rebel Ma
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Abiss
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner. One of the best audiobooks Iβve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorβs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Indestructible Potato
Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Rook
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch.
Evil Smith
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. Iβm 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!
Princess Dove
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
SunVolt
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Kinged
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Sidewalk Enforcer
ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
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