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
Shimmy Shammy
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Domino
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57 Pixels
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Lord Nikon
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks.
Mr. Lucky
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Widow Curio
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Queen Bee
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
CuriousCraft
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
DreamWeaver
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate.
Tokyo Dream
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Tse Tse Guy
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience.
Sweetness
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Show Boat
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
Hex Panther
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Murder Cherry
🔥 Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine – this app is my secret weapon! ✨📖 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition! Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Unseen
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle.
Snout Pixie
The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Cream
With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. 🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
Contrary Mary
ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
MindfulMingle
The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
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