Book Blurb:
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng: Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving but broken father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university 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 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 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.
My Review: 4 stars
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng is a brave tale to tell as its dystopian nature felt frighteningly close to home. Many folks will have that eerie feeling about the ideas this book represents, but it’s just that – that makes the book work.
The likeable character of Bird was probably my favorite part of the book. He is certain to be a beloved character for all who read this novel. His tenacious and curious personality propels the story and mystery forward as he searches for his mother. His mother is a Chinese American poet who disappears to avoid having Bird taken away due to her mixed ethnicity.
With mysterious clues, clandestine internet searches and finding some librarians willing to help, Bird is off on a life-changing adventure. I enjoyed the Chinese folktale told by his mother that helped him to understand her better. This book is often heavy in emotion, as the message it portrays is frightening, especially as it pertains to how easily our political landscape can change.
This was narrated by actress Lucy Liu who did an amazing job!!
Quotes I liked:
Bird laughs. For the first time in his life, he is unremarkable, and this feels like power.”
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