Book description
“The Emperor of Gladness is a poetic, dramatic and vivid story. Epic in its sweep, the novel also handles intimacy and love with delicacy and deep originality. Hai and Grazina are taken from the margins of American life by Ocean Vuong and, by dint of great sympathy and imaginative genius, placed at the very center of our world.” —Colm Tóibín, author of Long Island and Brooklyn“A masterwork.” —Bryan Washington, author of Palaver and Family MealOcean Vuong returns with a bighearted novel about chosen family, unexpected friendship, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to surviveOne late summer evening in the post-industrial town of East Gladness, Connecticut, nineteen-year-old Hai stands on the edge of a bridge in pelting rain, ready to jump, when he hears someone shout across the river. The voice belongs to Grazina, an elderly widow succumbing to dementia, who convinces him to take another path. Bereft and out of options, he quickly becomes her caretaker. Over the course of the year, the unlikely pair develops a life-altering bond, one built on empathy, spiritual reckoning, and heartbreak, with the power to transform Hai’s relationship to himself, his family, and a community on the brink.Following the cycles of history, memory, and time, The Emperor of Gladness shows the profound ways in which love, labor, and loneliness form the bedrock of American life. At its heart is a brave epic about what it means to exist on the fringes of society and to reckon with the wounds that haunt our collective soul. Hallmarks of Ocean Vuong’s writing—formal innovation, syntactic dexterity, and the ability to twin grit with grace through tenderness—are on full display in this story of loss, hope, and how far we would go to possess one of life’s most fleeting mercies: a second chance.
About the Author
Ocean Vuong is the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collections Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time Is a Mother, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. A recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and the American Book Award, he used to work as a fast-food server, which inspired The Emperor of Gladness. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, he currently splits his time between Northampton, Massachusetts, and New York City.
Star Jammer
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Sassy Muffin
Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Nightmare King
Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
SmartieQuest
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. 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. 📚🎧
Yellow Menace
This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket. 🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
21st Street
This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
ByteBard
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Suicide Jockey
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Mad Viral
This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. 🚶♀️🎧 Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks – pure bliss! 🏞️📚 The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Show Off
🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Trixie Doodle
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
ByteBard
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱
Zero Corn
I'm hooked on this app – it's like Netflix for book lovers! Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity.
StorySculptor
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Snow Hound
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧 Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚
Blistered Outlaw
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
Free Ham
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered. 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.
Noh Noh
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. 🎧 Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app – pure listening pleasure! 📚🔥 ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Leaf Assassin
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Wrangler Jim
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening 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