Book description
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE - The acclaimed memoir about fathers and sons, a legacy of loss, and, ultimately, healing--one of The New York Times Book Review's ten best books of the year, winner of the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize When Hisham Matar was a nineteen-year-old university student in England, his father went missing under mysterious circumstances. Hisham would never see him again, but he never gave up hope that his father might still be alive. Twenty-two years later, he returned to his native Libya in search of the truth behind his father's disappearance. The Return is the story of what he found there. The Pulitzer Prize citation hailed The Return as "a first-person elegy for home and father." Transforming his personal quest for answers into a brilliantly told universal tale of hope and resilience, Matar has given us an unforgettable work with a powerful human question at its core: How does one go on living in the face of unthinkable loss?NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times - The Washington Post - The Guardian - Financial Times "A tale of mighty love, loyalty and courage. It simply must be read."--The Spectator (U.K.) "Wise and agonizing and thrilling to read."--Zadie Smith "[An] eloquent memoir . . . at once a suspenseful detective story about a writer investigating his father's fate . . . and a son's efforts to come to terms with his father's ghost, who has haunted more than half his life by his absence."--Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times "This outstanding book . . . roves back and forth in time with a freedom that conceals the intricate precision of its art."--The Wall Street Journal "Truly remarkable . . . a book with a profound faith in the consolations of storytelling . . . a testament to [Matar's] father, his family and his country."--The Daily Telegraph (U.K.) "The Return is a riveting book about love and hope, but it is also a moving meditation on grief and loss. . . . Likely to become a classic."--Colm Tóibín "Matar's evocative writing and his early traumas call to mind Vladimir Nabokov."--The Washington Post "Utterly riveting."--The Boston Globe "A moving, unflinching memoir of a family torn apart."--Kazuo Ishiguro, The Guardian "Beautiful . . . The Return, for all the questions it cannot answer, leaves a deep emotional imprint."--Newsday "A masterful memoir, a searing meditation on loss, exile, grief, guilt, belonging, and above all, family. It is, as well, a study of the shaping--and breaking--of the bonds between fathers and sons. . . . This is writing of the highest quality."--The Sunday Times (U.K.)
About the Author
Born in New York City to Libyan parents, Hisham Matar spent his childhood in Tripoli and Cairo and has lived most of his adult life in London. His debut novel, In the Country of Men, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and won numerous international prizes, including the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, a Commonwealth First Book Award, the Premio Flaiano, and the Premio Gregor von Rezzori. His second novel, Anatomy of a Disappearance, published in 2011, was named one of the best books of the year by The Guardian and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been translated into twenty-nine languages. He lives in London and New York.
Pixy Mox
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
3P-own
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have. 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. 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.
Blackfire
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Chew Chew
I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
SereneScribe
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. 🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀 💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮
Renegade Slugger
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable.
Mr. Thanksgiving
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
StorySculptor
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧
ByteBard
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
LifeRobber
🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight.
Renegade Slugger
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears.
Reno Monarch
ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Easy Street
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
HolyCombo
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Bearded Angler
I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Mammoth 2
🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧 Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Electric Saturn
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Snout Pixie
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience.
Darth 44
⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 🚶♀️🎧 Walking and listening has never been this smooth – this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. 🏞️📖
Snowflake Pixie
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
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