Our Missing Hearts

Locations
Call Number: Fiction / Ng, Celeste, Adult Book / Fiction / General / Ng, Celeste
On Shelf At: Malletts Creek Branch, Pittsfield Branch, Traverwood Branch, Westgate Branch

"From the number one bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, a deeply suspenseful and heartrending novel about the unbreakable love between a mother and child in a society consumed by fear Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving but broken father, a former linguist who now shelves books in Harvard University's library. Bird knows to not ask too many questions, stand out too much, or stray too far. For a decade, their lives have been governed by laws written to preserve 'American culture' in the wake of years of economic instability and violence. To keep the peace and restore prosperity, the authorities are now allowed to relocate children of dissidents, especially those of Asian origin, and libraries have been forced to remove books seen as unpatriotic--including the work of Bird's mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet who left the family when he was nine years old. Bird has grown up disavowing his mother and her poems; he doesn't know her work or what happened to her, and he knows he shouldn't wonder. But when he receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, he is drawn into a quest to find her. His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of librarians, into the lives of the children who have been taken, and finally to New York City, where a new act of defiance may be the beginning of much-needed change. Our Missing Hearts is an old story made new, of the ways supposedly civilized communities can ignore the most searing injustice. It's a story about the power-and limitations-of art to create change, the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children, and how any of us can survive a broken world with our hearts intact"-- Provided by publisher.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Okay submitted by zmclaugh on June 17, 2023, 8:35am This was good and definitely believable, but a little too on the nose for me.

A Covid-Era take on the lengths people go to be "American Enough" submitted by JJM.Deucher on July 2, 2023, 7:32am The style felt very different from Little Fires Everywhere. I felt less attached to the characters, but very interested in the story. There were aspects that were a bit fantastical, but also in our current world it mirrored what I'm sure are real fears as many protections and safeguards we seem to have in place slip away and "fear" turns into justification for attacking the ideas and humanity of others.

Memorable submitted by leah karr on July 5, 2023, 11:28pm This book and the themes presented stayed with me for quite a few weeks after reading this book. Worth the wait on the hold list!

Heavy and hearty submitted by Bethybeth07 on July 19, 2023, 7:57am Very heavy book, excellent read and makes you think. Great example of the influence media has on our thoughts and opinions

Not sure submitted by pratibhamahesh on July 29, 2023, 11:37am This book was very heavy for me and I am not sure if I engaged with the story…

Our Missing Hearts submitted by SBNB on June 28, 2024, 1:22pm Great book. I couldn't put it down. Like others have said, it's heavy, like 1984 but more plausible, more real. It's painful to imagine our world like that and even more painful to realize how easily we could become that world and also to recognize the similar injustices of the past (and present). But as Margaret reminds us in the book, it is important to remember and bear witness to these injustices.

Living in a nondemocratic society submitted by smog58 on June 30, 2024, 3:21pm This was a scary ride because it could so easily happen in our current nation. Separation of children from their families to punish parents for unamerican behavior. We saw this happen already at the mexico border some years ago. This story is very unique and involves poetry and the power of librarians.

Brilliant submitted by rachelgoldberg on July 21, 2024, 8:35pm Art as a vehicle for change and subversive librarian heroes? Perfect, brilliant, haunting.

Incredible book submitted by hl3206 on August 18, 2024, 10:17am This book captivated me throughout. Ng is always an engaging writer, and this may be the best I have read of her books. The premise is both futuristic and frighteningly current, constantly leaving you thinking "I can imagine this happening. What can we do to make sure this dystopia doesn't come to reality?" The character development is incredible, and keeps you drawn in at every turn. Highly recommend.