Book description
"A novel about an MFA program for stand-up comics better be damned funny, and The Material is definitely that. It's also profound, deeply engrossing, dark, and generous, a great novel about humans making art right now."--Sam Lipsyte, author of No One Left to Come Looking for You "Brilliance is on display here."--Percival Everett, author of James and The Trees Can comedy be taught? Someone, at some point, seemed to think so. The Chicago Stand-Up MFA program has enrolled young comedians for nearly a decade. Its teachers and students all know how bits work--in theory, at least. They know that there's a line between sharp and cruel, that sad becomes funny at the right angle, that the worst is the best, the truth is the worst, and any moment of your life that isn't a punch line will either get you to a punch line or force you to be one. They're all afraid to be one. Artie may be too handsome for standup, Olivia too reluctant to examine her own life, and Phil too afraid to cause harm. Kruger may be too vanilla to command his students' respect, Ashbee too detached. And then we have Dorothy--the only woman on the program's faculty--who though preparing to launch a comeback tour can't tell if she's too abiding, too ambitious, or too ambivalent. Whether a visiting professor--the high-profile, controversy-steeped comedian Manny Reinhardt--will do more to help or harm their cause remains to be seen. But he's on his way. He'll be arriving sooner than anyone thinks. Riffing keenly across a diverse array of precision-cut perspectives, The Material examines life through the eyes of a reluctantly assembled ensemble, a band of outsiders bound together by the need to laugh and the longing to make others laugh even harder.
About the Author
Camille Bordas is the author of three prizewinning novels. The most recent, How to Behave in a Crowd, was the first she wrote in English. The earlier two, Partie Commune and Les Treize Desserts, were written in her native French. Her short stories have appeared in The New Yorker and The Paris Review. She has been named a Guggenheim Fellow. Born in France, raised in Mexico City and Paris, she currently lives in Chicago.
StorySculptor
π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Rando Tank
I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. 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! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Guillotine
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
ReiGnZ
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
Mr. Peppermint
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
Apple Nola
This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
London Fox
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Midnight Rider
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer.
Blinker
ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset.
Digital Equinox
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
LerveDr
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Mad Rascal
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. 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 The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience.
Light Lion
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Valley Guardian
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey.
VisionVoyager
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening.
Lady In Red
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
Infinite Hole
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth.
Pixy Mox
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Sw33per
π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
Bitmap
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
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