Book description
Ocean 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.
Springheel Jack
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Spoiler Betty
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Earl of Arms
🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
InsightInkwell
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Bad Beret
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
Moon Orchid
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
DARK HQ
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking and listening has never been this smooth – this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. 🏞️📖
Poppin Loot
📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Crash Override
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 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.
WordWanderer
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Cross Thread
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Freeway
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
High Heel Goddess
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Cali Yacht
🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀 ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
Tin Fox
ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. 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.
Twiddle Twix
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 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.
Sw33per
📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Austin Shamrock
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊
Digital Moonshine
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Hog Butcher
Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook 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