Book description
WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD A 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.
A 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
Spooky Yellowjacket
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable.
RealmRanger
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π
PixelPathfinder
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
Shay
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Petite Flurry
I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
K-9
π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Mule Skinner
Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Killer Grenade
π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Seattle Jay
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Easy Mac
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
RiddleRover
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Pompeii Unicorn
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Miss Nova
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Cricket
π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Baked ZD
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience.
Dark Burn
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Scarlet Mary
Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Mad Viral
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening.
Red Hot Kevorkian
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
Cereal Killer
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction.
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