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
Burn
ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Toolmaker
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Sand Whiskers
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Shady Prairie
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Gingersnap Woman
ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Spitfire
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files!
Hitch Frenzy
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
ShadowDancer
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Mad Viral
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Combo Saw
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Eerie Mizzen
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Feral Filly
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason.
Midnight Rider
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Electric Player
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Sun Runner
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app.
Teeder
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ
Fl00d
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Call Back Queen
With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Scare Stone
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Highway
πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
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