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
Lskeee
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Voodoo Queen
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. ππ«
Sherm
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use.
Phoenix Sparrow
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. ππ§ ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Universe Bullet
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
ForumFlare
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Abyss Tamer
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! 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. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Jungle King
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Curio
ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
X-Dew
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
ShadowDancer
Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Alpha
π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume.
Super Flick
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Cinder Coffee
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket. 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.
StorySculptor
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§
Friday Ferrari
ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Highway
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
EchoExplorer
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§
Pinup Diva
Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Ship Whip
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true triumph.
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