Our missing hearts: a novel
Author
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
2022.
Language
English
Appears on these lists
Description
An instant New York Times bestseller • A New York Times Notable Book • Named a Best Book of 2022 by People, TIME Magazine, The Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, Los Angeles Times, and Oprah Daily, and more • A Reese's Book Club Pick • New York Times Paperback Row SelectionFrom the #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, comes the inspiring new novel about a mother’s unshakeable love. “Riveting, tender, and timely.” —People, Book of the Week"Remarkable . . . An unflinching yet life-affirming drama about the power of art and love to push back in dangerous times." —Oprah Daily“Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching . . . I was so invested in the future of this mother and son.” —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club Pick) Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. His mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet, left without a trace when he was nine years old. He doesn’t know what happened to her—only that her books have been banned—and he resents that she cared more about her work than about him. Then one day Bird receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, and soon he is pulled 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 heroic librarians, and finally to New York City, where he will learn the truth about what happened to his mother and what the future holds for them both. Our Missing Hearts is an old story made new, of the ways supposedly civilized communities can ignore the most searing injustice. It’s about the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children and the power of art to create change.
More Details
Contributors
ISBN
9780593492543
9780593629635
9780593492550
9780593629635
9780593492550
Excerpt
Loading Excerpt...
Similar Titles From NoveList
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the theme "facing racism"; the genre "literary fiction"; the subjects "family relationships," "chinese americans," and "north american people"; and include the identity "asian."
These books have the appeal factors lyrical and stylistically complex, and they have the theme "facing racism"; the genre "literary fiction"; the subjects "american people," "north american people," and "indian americans"; and include the identity "asian."
These books have the appeal factors moving and stylistically complex, and they have the genres "literary fiction" and "book club best bets"; and the subjects "family relationships" and "families."
These books have the appeal factors reflective, lyrical, and own voices, and they have the theme "facing racism"; the genres "literary fiction" and "book club best bets"; the subjects "family relationships," "east asian americans," and "east asian people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "complex characters."
These books have the appeal factors haunting, lyrical, and unconventional, and they have the genres "literary fiction" and "book club best bets"; the subjects "mothers and sons," "family relationships," and "american people"; and include the identity "asian."
These literary dystopian novels tell chilling, disturbing stories set in a near future America with a premium on surveillance of people who supposedly might cause problems, based on their dreams (Dream Hotel) or race (Our Missing Hearts). -- Michael Shumate
These books have the appeal factors stylistically complex, and they have the subjects "family relationships," "chinese americans," and "north american people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "complex characters."
These books have the appeal factors reflective and lyrical, and they have the genres "literary fiction" and "book club best bets"; the subjects "american people," "north american people," and "human nature"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "authentic characters."
We recommend The Leavers for readers who like Our Missing Hearts. Both character-driven, stylistically complex novels deal with Asian American identity and parent-child separation. -- Ashley Lyons
These books have the theme "facing racism"; the subjects "chinese americans," "north american people," and "east asian americans"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "complex characters."
We recommend Sing, Unburied Sing for readers who like Our Missing Hearts. Both feature lyrical prose and center on introspective mixed-race children being raised by white family members. -- Ashley Lyons
In both of these thought-provoking and moving dystopian stories set in a near-future America, governmental mandates separate children from their parents in the name of "protecting" them. Each haunting tale stars a mother determined to reunite with her child. -- Halle Carlson
Similar Authors From NoveList
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Both Celeste Ng and Jesmyn Ward pen moving novels which explore family, identity, and heritage, albeit in in very different geographic and cultural settings. Themes of connection and loss are woven through their respective bodies of work in a way that may resonate with readers who enjoyed one or the other. -- Michael Jenkins
Celeste Ng and Ann Patchett write compelling literary fiction about the complex nature of human relationships. With compassionate insight and astute observation they peel back the layers of history and emotions between and among characters and examine how life choices have long-term reverberating effects. -- Halle Carlson
Dan Chaon and Celeste Ng both delve into similar literary realms, exploring family identity and adoption in similar settings informed by their shared Midwestern roots. Both offer compelling and character driven stories bound together by these themes. -- Michael Jenkins
Jean Kwok and Celeste Ng write thoughtful, nuanced stories about identity and family, focusing on issues such as immigration, adoption, and the differences between Eastern and Western cultures. -- Halle Carlson
Both Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty write insightful, character-driven fiction that dives into the less picture-perfect side of suburban life. Explorations of family, loyalty, and keeping up with outward appearances drive their compelling stories and often the present and past are interwoven to ramp up tensions before an explosive conclusion. -- Halle Carlson
These authors' works have the appeal factors nonlinear, and they have the genres "psychological fiction" and "mainstream fiction"; the subjects "chinese americans," "loss," and "east asian americans"; and characters that are "complex characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors nonlinear, and they have the subjects "adoption," "interracial adoption," and "east asian americans"; and include the identity "asian."
These authors' works have the subjects "adoption," "chinese americans," and "interracial adoption"; and include the identity "asian."
These authors' works have the genres "literary fiction" and "psychological fiction"; and the subjects "adoption," "single mothers," and "child custody."
These authors' works have the subjects "chinese americans," "single mothers," and "east asian americans"; and include the identity "asian."
These authors' works have the appeal factors nonlinear, and they have the genres "psychological fiction" and "mainstream fiction"; the subjects "chinese americans," "loss," and "east asian americans"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "complex characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors haunting, stylistically complex, and nonlinear, and they have the genre "psychological fiction"; and the subjects "death of daughters," "mothers and sons," and "drowning."
Reviews from GoodReads
Loading GoodReads Reviews.
Staff View
Loading Staff View.