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
Versace-Cat
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. β° Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks β energizing! π π§ The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Muzish
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ
Miss Murder
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained.
Coma Stalk
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
Pepper Prada
π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Cereal Killer
π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch.
Demand Chopper
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed.
Hoboken Nightingale
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Bad Princess
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ
Carrot Joker
With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Cumulo
πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Suicide Crusher
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
West Warrior
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Whipsaw
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! 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!
Crash Override
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π
New Cycle
The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Electric Player
π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
ThickSKN
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Ex0tic
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts.
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