Book description
Sidetracks, Bei Dao's first new collection in almost fifteen years, is also the poet's first long poem and his magnum opus--the artistic culmination of a lifetime devoted to the renewal and reinvention of language. "As a poet, I am always lost," Bei Dao once said. Opening with a prologue of heavenly questions and followed by thirty-four cantos, Sidetracks travels forward and backward along the divergent paths of the poet's wandering life--from his time as a Young Pioneer in Beijing, through the years of exile living in six countries, back to the rural construction site where he worked during the Cultural Revolution, to the "sunshine tablecloth" in his kitchen in Davis, California, and his emotional visit home after a thirteen-year separation ("the mother tongue has deepened my foreignness"). All the various currents of our times rush into his lifelines, reconfigured through the "vortex of experience" and the poet's encounters with friends and strangers, artists and ghosts, as he moves from place to place, unable to return home. As the poet Michael Palmer has noted, "Bei Dao's work, in its rapid transitions, abrupt juxtapositions, and frequent recurrence to open syntax evokes the un-speakability of the exile's condition. It is a poetry of explosive convergences, of submersions and unfixed boundaries, 'amid languages.'"
About the Author
Bei Dao, (the pen name of Zhao Zhenkai) was born in Beijing in 1949. During the Cultural Revolution, he worked as a concrete mixer and blacksmith for eleven years. Forced into exile after the Tiananmen Massacre, he lived in Europe and the US until 2007, then settling in Hong Kong until, only recently, moving back to Beijing. He has been hailed as "the soul of post-Mao poetry" (Yunte Huang) and praised for his "intense lyricism" (Pankaj Mishra). Bei Dao has received numerous awards for his poetry all over the world, and founded the International Poetry Nights in Hong Kong. His photography and paintings have been exhibited in China, Hong Kong, and Japan. New Directions publishes ten of his books.
Frenzy
Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Cardinal Rebel
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ 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!
Hella Fella
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
Innocent Ghost
π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Flotsams54
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. 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!
Kitchen
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. 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!
Alberta
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Little Granger
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
Criss Cross
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset.
Elder Pogue
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§
Hermopolis
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Bad Bond
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Gothic Slacker
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Dangle
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Sofa King
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient.
Toy Town
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story!
X-Dew
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
JesterZilla
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
SunVolt
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Lucky Aurora
Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
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