Book description
An instant New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today Bestseller - AN OPRAH BOOK CLUB SELECTION - ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2021 - WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FOR FICTIONA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: New York Times - Time - Washington Post - Oprah Daily - People - Boston Globe - BookPage - Booklist - Kirkus - Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chicago Public Library Finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel - Longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction - Finalist for the Kirkus Prize for Fiction - Nominee for the NAACP Image Award"Epic. . . . I was just enraptured by the lineage and the story of this modern African-American family. . . . I've never read anything quite like it. It just consumed me." --Oprah WinfreyThe NAACP Image Award-winning poet makes her fiction debut with this magisterial epic--an intimate yet sweeping novel with all the luminescence and force of Homegoing; Sing, Unburied, Sing; and The Water Dancer--that chronicles the journey of one American family, from the centuries of the colonial slave trade through the Civil War to our own tumultuous era. The great scholar, W. E. B. Du Bois, once wrote about the Problem of race in America, and what he called "Double Consciousness," a sensitivity that every African American possesses in order to survive. Since childhood, Ailey Pearl Garfield has understood Du Bois's words all too well. Bearing the names of two formidable Black Americans--the revered choreographer Alvin Ailey and her great grandmother Pearl, the descendant of enslaved Georgians and tenant farmers--Ailey carries Du Bois's Problem on her shoulders.Ailey is reared in the north in the City but spends summers in the small Georgia town of Chicasetta, where her mother's family has lived since their ancestors arrived from Africa in bondage. From an early age, Ailey fights a battle for belonging that's made all the more difficult by a hovering trauma, as well as the whispers of women--her mother, Belle, her sister, Lydia, and a maternal line reaching back two centuries--that urge Ailey to succeed in their stead.To come to terms with her own identity, Ailey embarks on a journey through her family's past, uncovering the shocking tales of generations of ancestors--Indigenous, Black, and white--in the deep South. In doing so Ailey must learn to embrace her full heritage, a legacy of oppression and resistance, bondage and independence, cruelty and resilience that is the story--and the song--of America itself.
About the Author
Z-Boy
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends.
Centurion Sherman
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
HolyCombo
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Hen Skittle
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
Dr. WMD
Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. 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.
Old Man Winter
I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Bom Crossed
I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ππ Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
TulipCake
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Deano
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
EchoExplorer
Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Queen Bee
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Jelly Momentum
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Demo Zero
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
Demo Zero
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is β it's like being inside the story. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Badger the Burglar
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips.
SmartieQuest
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries.
Street Jolly
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
MeeP
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. 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.
BuffFreak
π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Bazooka Har-de-har
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
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