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
Alley Frog
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
Wonder Lady
Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
ByteBard
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Saint La-Z-Boy
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
New Cycle
πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me!
MysticMingle
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey.
Maple Destroyer
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. 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 Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Insane SweepKick
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime.
Cooger
βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever.
Mantis Queen
The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Gumby Train
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§
Capital F
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Pop Bee
π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
BearDrift
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
The Beekeeper
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
NexusNinja
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Mad Kid
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Gunhawk
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ππ§ The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
Lord Pistachio
Simplifying audiobook adventures β this app's ease of use is a delight. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone.
Thrasher
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
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