Book description
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
Yetu carries the weight of her people's history, and it's killing her. As the historian for the wajinru - descendants of pregnant African slave women thrown overboard who somehow survived and thrived beneath the ocean's surface - she alone holds every traumatic memory their community has chosen to forget.
Rivers Solomon has crafted something extraordinary here. The premise alone is devastating: an entire civilization built on the backs of those who were discarded, their survival story too painful for most to bear. Yetu's escape to the surface world isn't just a physical journey - it's a reckoning with identity, trauma, and what it means to truly know your past.
The audiobook format serves this story beautifully. There's something haunting about hearing Yetu's memories spoken aloud, the way trauma echoes through vocal delivery. The listener experiences her burden in a visceral way that silent reading might not fully capture.
What struck me most was how Solomon avoids easy answers. Yes, remembering is painful. Yes, forgetting is dangerous. The tension between these truths drives the narrative forward with relentless momentum. Yetu's discovery of the surface world - and her own complicated history within it - adds layers that feel both surprising and inevitable.
This isn't just speculative fiction. It's a meditation on collective memory, intergenerational trauma, and the cost of survival. The wajinru's underwater paradise comes at a price, and Yetu's journey forces them to confront whether that price is too high.
The Deep will stay with you long after the final moment. It's the kind of story that changes how you think about history, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. Absolutely essential listening.
Blade
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Skirble
No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey.
Scare Stone
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
Jester
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Killer Grenade
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable.
Sugar Apple
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Night Train
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. 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!
Bambi Wings
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator. 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.
Venom Petunia
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Marshmallow
Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
WanderWord
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Silver Rose
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
EchoEnigma
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations.
Bazooka Har-de-har
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Lord Nikon
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
Dez
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Houston Rocket
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story.
Winded On Friday
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! 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.
Nacho
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer.
Frosty Sunshine
The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
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