A review by summer_reads1
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

5.0

Have you ever read a book that’s so good that you know as soon as you finish it that you will be instantly in a slump because nothing else will come close to the greatness that is your current read? Our Missing Hearts is that book.

Our Missing Hearts centers around Noah Gardner aka Bird, a 12-year-old boy who lives with his father who works at a university library. For a decade the family has been governed by new laws to preserve “American culture” the laws are known as PACT. Under this new law the government has the authority to remove children from their home, especially those of Asian origin, and relocate them. Libraries have also been forced to remove books that are deemed unpatriotic, including the books written by Bird’s mother Margaret. Margaret left the family 3 years ago for unknown reasons and even though he’s been told by his father to disavow his Mother and her anti-PACT writings, Bird cannot help but think of her from time to time. One day Bird receives a mysterious letter from his mother that contains only a puzzling drawing, Bird goes on a mission to find the meaning of the drawing and to find his mother.

The story is told in three parts through Bird’s and Margaret’s point of views.

The words I would use to describe Our Missisng Hearts are horrifying, poignant deeply profound, harrowing, soul stirring and beautiful. But most of all, this is a story that makes you think. The book is set in a dystopian future of what I would describe as The Handmaid's tale meets Fahrenheit 451.

There are so many underlying themes and messages in Our Missing Hearts. This is a cautionary tale on what the banning of books could lead to and it is also a love letter to libraries and how they truly are a necessity to outr society. It’s a story about parents specifically a mother’s never-ending love for her child and the length that mothers will go to to ensure their safety. Also, Our Missing Hearts exemplifies the power of our voice and the importance of speaking up for those who can’t.

As a mother myself this story is absolutely terrifying. I could not imagine living in fear everyday of my life that my child would be unfairly taken from me and too see the children of other families being torn from them.

The characters, plot, setting were all beautifully written. Celeste Ng is truly one of the greatest authors of our time. Just like Little Fires Everywhere, I see Our Missing Hearts becoming a modern classic. I see it as a book being read and talked about decades from now. I've read all three of Celeste Ng’s books and I have to say Our Missing Hearts is her best work yet. I highly recommend giving this one a read!

I listened to the audiobook version of Our Missing Hearts. It is narrated by the phenomenal Lucy Liu(yes the actress)! If you do decide to read this one or listen to the audiobook version, read/listen to the Authors note at the end to learn about the horrifying real-life stories that Celeste Ng drew inspiration from.

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng was published on October 4, 2023 so it is available now! A massive that is to Libro Fm, Penguin Random House m Audio, and Penguin Press for the gifted copy!