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.
Universe Bullet
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume.
ShadowFax
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨 Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Dropkick
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures!
Crazy Eights
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Bad Bond
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
RiddleRover
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
PixelPioneer
🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Bambi Benz
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖 ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized.
Junkyard Dog
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Twister Hero
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
GoldTouch
I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app! 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.
Black Fantastic
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Metal Aphrodite
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. 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. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Twinkle
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Roadblock
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
Manly
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Troubled Chick
The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Canine Hannibal
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings.
Day Hawk
🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly.
Easy Sweep
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
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