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.
Skittle Mine
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Trash Sling
I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. 🎧📱 A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Lilac Lizard
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. 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. 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.
Grave Scuttlebutt
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Pixie
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Marshmallow
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier – this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. 📱🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
NexusNavigator
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Gabriel Dandelion
With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. 🏝️🎧 Packing for vacation just got better – this app is my getaway entertainment! 🌴📖 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Psycho Thinker
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Flash Protein
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. 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.
DreamDiver
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Queen Ginger
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Bleachers
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Freak
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Dance Bloom
Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
B@d B0y
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Saber-RED
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail.
Dandelion
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding.
21st Street
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Leaf Assassin
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem.
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