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.
The China Wall
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ThickSKN
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Fuzzy Logic Hottie
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Overrun
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Racy Lady
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Nickname Master
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Fire Fish
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Gullyway
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Miss Fix It
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. 🚗 Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures – audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! 🚗📖 I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. 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!
GoldTouch
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Good-lookin’
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Easy Mac
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. 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.
Snowflake Pixie
The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Y0dler
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Lady Fantastic
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Lady Petal
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
THRESHmSTR
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. 🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧
Breezy Mustang
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Venious
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again.
Red Heroine
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
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