Book description
A Washington Post and Literary Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2025 A poignant, sharp-eyed, and bitterly funny tale of a family struggling to stay together in a country rapidly coming apart, told through the eyes of their wondrous ten-year-old daughter, by the bestselling author of Super Sad True Love Story and Our Country Friends The Bradford-Shmulkin family is falling apart. A very modern blend of Russian, Jewish, Korean, and New England WASP, they love one another deeply but the pressures of life in an unstable America are fraying their bonds. There's Daddy, a struggling, cash-thirsty editor whose Russian heritage gives him a surprising new currency in the upside-down world of twenty-first-century geopolitics; his wife, Anne Mom, a progressive, underfunded blue blood from Boston who's barely holding the household together; their son, Dylan, whose blond hair and Mayflower lineage provide him pride of place in the newly forming American political order; and, above all, the young Vera, half-Jewish, half-Korean, and wholly original. Observant, sensitive, and always writing down new vocabulary words, Vera wants only three things in life: to make a friend at school; Daddy and Anne Mom to stay together; and to meet her birth mother, Mom Mom, who will at last tell Vera the secret of who she really is and how to ensure love's survival in this great, mad, imploding world. Both biting and deeply moving, Vera, or Faith is a boldly imagined story of family and country told through the clear and tender eyes of a child. With a nod to What Maisie Knew, Henry James's classic story of parents, children, and the dark ironies of a rapidly transforming society, Vera, or Faith demonstrates why Shteyngart is, in the words of The New York Times, "one of his generation's most exhilarating writers."Review"A novel you can read in one sitting that will stay with you forever."--Karen Russell "Very funny, very sad, very sharp, and completely delightful."--Elif Batuman “I consider myself a Gary Shteyngart superfan, but he has outdone himself with the charming, hilarious, and deeply moving Vera, or Faith. Vera is everything I want in a character—funny, curious, wise, and wildly original. She'll make you laugh, break your heart, and fill you with hope, all at the same time. She’s easily one of my favorite characters in fiction, and this is now one of my favorite novels.”—Angie Kim, New York Times bestselling author of Happiness Falls and Miracle Creek About the AuthorGary Shteyngart was born in Leningrad in 1972 and came to the United States seven years later. His debut novel, The Russian Debutante's Handbook, won the Stephen Crane Award for First Fiction and the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. His second novel, Absurdistan, was one of the The New York Times Book Review's 10 Best Books of the Year . His novel Super Sad True Love Story won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize and became one of the most iconic novels of the decade. His memoir, Little Failure, was a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. His most recent novel is the New York Times bestseller Our Country Friends. His books have been published in thirty countries. He lives in New York with his wife and son.
Crossing Guard
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Miss Mustard
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Sexy
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Prometheus
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. 🔥 Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine – this app is my secret weapon! ✨📖 ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Don Stab
📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
Shadow Chaser
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Chasm Face
Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Are Ess Tee
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch.
Bad Bond
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Electric Saturn
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Napoleonic Haze
🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Stone Boomstick
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
SereneScribe
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. 📚 Embracing reading in the digital age – this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. 📱🎉 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️
Engine Eye
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Force
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
BlacKitten
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine.
Digger
This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey.
Onion King
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. 🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑
NightDream
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Riff Raff
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
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