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
LifeRobber
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Airport Hobo
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends.
Darkside Hooker
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Lord Nikon
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
High Woo
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Red Woman
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Cool Whip
π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Beo
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Preach Man
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection.
Liquid Death
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
ByteBard
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Star Scratch
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Marshmallow Treat
I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
CuriousCoder
β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Accidental Genius
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Sick Saurus
ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π
EchoEnigma
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
LoreLoomer
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! 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.
Bleachers
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable.
Texas Butterfly
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! 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!
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