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
Delirious Supernova
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
CloudFrenzy
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
NexusNomad
Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. 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!
BearDrift
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
JK Friend
π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Hex Panther
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Dream Killer
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Journeyman
Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Pinball Wizard
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. 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.
Manly
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Mule Lock
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
CosPlatoon
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Prone
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Sherwood Gladiator
I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Achilles Mountain
As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. 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.
Frosty Snazz
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
42nd Street
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π 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.
Steel
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodβwhat a creative addition! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Cupid Dust
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. 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.
QuestQuill
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
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