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 Édouard 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.
Thrasher
No more straining my eyes to read – now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me!
Video Game Heroine
🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚 Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. 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!
Killer Merlot
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Winter Bite
ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Mental
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Red Heroine
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Sienna Princess
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Black Mustard
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need.
Cool Law Topping
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Slug-em-dog
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. Audiobook journey simplified – this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Toy Peep
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! 📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜 The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Murder Cherry
With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. 💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖
Flint Cast-Iron
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧
Rocky Highway
With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Lady Pomegranate
The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
MysticMingle
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Gentle Avenger
🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Romance Guppy
The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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 audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Freesia
🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳 I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Swedish Pixie
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
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