Cover Image: Our Missing Hearts

Our Missing Hearts

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Member Reviews

this was a bit of a let down for me, I've really enjoyed Ng's other books and thier messages but these conclusions and ideas are way off, I don't agree with the ultimate messages.

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'Our Missing Hearts' by Celeste Ng is a thought-provoking exploration of a dystopian world of discrimination and societal rejection. Ng's skillful storytelling, across three parts, and poignant narrative shed light on themes of identity, racism, and resilience.

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I had a really hard time with this one. I think it’s the way the story was told it just felt so slow. The wrist was good but it took forever to get there and I felt like there was no resolution at all. Depressing.

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I have been anxiously awaiting Celeste Ng's latest and Our Missing Hearts did not disappoint. Unexpectedly discomfiting and dystopian, Our Missing Hearts is a reminder of how important our parents' influence can be on the core of who we are and how we move about the world.

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This is hands down my favorite Celeste Ng book. The dystopia, the McCarthyism, the absolute tragedy of the removal of children from their families---- Ng writes, "Bird and Margaret’s world isn’t exactly our world, but it isn’t not ours either." And she's right.

We meet Bird, a 12-year-old boy living with only his father in a small Cambridge dorm. His father works as a book shelver in a library, and we very quickly notice that all mention of his mother is not only absent but vehemently shot down when any whisper of her is uttered.

Ng takes us on a true ride. She reimagines the McCarthy era but specifically against those of Asian origin. With tragedies inspired by true events and legitimately terrifying eras, Ng weaves a tale of family, hope, and the question of inaction, action, and the consequences that follow either choice.

4.5 stars.

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I have read Celeste Ng’s books in the past and looked forward to reading this one. The book is divided into three parts and in my opinion the first was best. The character, Bird, was well done and I truly cared about him and his circumstances. I did not want to put the book down. The second part, mostly about Bird’s mother was a let-down. As other readers have stated it is more a compilation of facts to describe her life, with little emotional depth.
The book in general is a cautionary tale, which I appreciate. Because incidents in the book have happened in the past they could happen again and we should all be vigilant.
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest opinion by Penguin Random House and the author. I wish I could have given this book a higher rating.

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This beautifully written, chilling novel recounts the story of 12 year old Bird Gardner who lives quietly with his father. After violence and economic stability their lives are governed by oppressive rules to preserve “American character.” Authorities are relocating children of dissidents, especially Asians, and banning books. His Chinese mother, a poet, abandoned the family when he was nine. Bird goes on a quest to find his mother, aided by an underground network of librarians. This work strikes a bit too close to home in describing the racial injustice, cruelty, and intolerance of others. It does illuminate the power of love and sacrifice.

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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

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I don’t usually read dystopian stories but as this one had a librarian in it I figured I’d give it a try. I thought Birdie came across as younger than 12 and in the second part he seemed older. I thought it dragged at times and his mother seemed rather more concerned as to what was happening to others than her son. A lot of the topics in this fictional story come out of what is currently happening today. 3.5 stars

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I was looking forward for enjoyable read by Miss Ng. Sadly, I do not like nor enjoy Our Missing Hearts.

Yes there is such powerful political message from the book, but not for me. I could not connect with the writing nor the plot.

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Our Missing Hearts is the journey of a boy to find his mother. A dystopian tale, which I typically love, but this one left me wanting more. Parts were confusing for me and seemed irrelevant and the ending fell completely flat for me. I so wanted to love this story.

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Thank You to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

I was thrilled to receive this free e-ARC. I have loved Celeste Ng every since she wrote Little Fires Everywhere. The book is well written and I loved the character Bird, his dad who works in a library, and his mom, Margaret. After Bird's mother abandons the family, Bird sets out to find her. What a quest! The setting, environment, or background could be current times and events. It definitely is one of those books that made me think long after it was finished. This is a book that could be reread and reread and you would find something new, a new bit of information or something else to think about.

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I wanted to like this book. I love the premise... it just wasn't executed well. I didn't like the first part where Bird was the main character and we saw the world through his perspective. He seemed much younger than the 12 years old that he was suppoed to be. It also didn't encompass how his world had changed.

In Part 2, we get history, but again, it comes from a detached point of view, although it shouldn't have been. This is where we should have really felt how rough The Crisis was and how terrible it was that Bird's mom had to leave.

But yet... I just wanted to get through it. I couldn't connect to this book at all, but I should have.

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the E-ARC of Our Missing Hearts in exchange for an unbiased review. I loved this book. It was well-written, thought provoking, and kept me intrigued throughout. It is very relevant in the current political environment. Would definitely buy for my library and would recommend to others.

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As a librarian in these times, this story is very relevant to the crushing blows of the impact of a world with out literature. A very poignant look at the life of a child that learns life is about surviving with your own truths and not being destroyed by the senseless attacks that occur due to ignorance, hatred and lack of empathy.

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This is a definite deviation from Ng's other works, and will be a surprise for her diehard fans who pick this up. It's nothing like the slower paced, family and character driven novels that we expect. For those going into this understanding that it's a totally different feel than her previous works, it's a wild, near-future dystopian.

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After my first Ng novel, I knew she was an author I would be following. I've read everything she has written so far. Our Missing Hearts is a searing commentary set in a "dystopia" that, to be totally honest, doesn't seem very dystopian at all. In this slightly alternative version of America, "PACT" has been enacted: the Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act. PACT allows for the arrest of those who are deemed "anti-American". Immigrants must constantly show their loyalty to America and disloyalty to their home countries, or there could be grave consequences. Books are being removed from libraries for being "unpatriotic" (sound familiar?). It's not right, and Bird's mother has been fighting against it, unbeknownst to Bird. She left when he was 9 years old, but to where he is uncertain. Then he gets a letter with a cryptic drawing, and he is determined to uncover what it means and if it could be connected to his mother. A beautiful story unfolds about family, immigration, racism, and what it means to be an American. Dystopian with a dash of mystery, this book is an important read, if not speculation of what could be just around the bend.

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This is not your typical Celeste NG book. I do not enjoy dystopian fiction, but I did read this one. For fans of dystopian books this is probably a good read, just not my cup of tea.

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Our Missing Hearts, a 2022 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Fiction, didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I must admit, I'm not sure what led me to pick it up for review.

Bird Gardner is a twelve-year-old boy who lives with his father on the tenth floor of a Harvard dorm apartment. The government made laws to preserve "American culture" after years of violence and economic instability. These laws permit book banning and relocating children of dissidents, particularly those of Asian origin.

Bird’s mother, Margaret Miu, a Chinese American poet, left the family when he was nine, her work labeled as subversive. Margaret is now a target under the shadow of the “Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act” (PACT). Bird doesn’t know her whereabouts, but when he receives a cryptic drawing from her, he embarks on a quest to find her.

I adored Celeste Ng’s, Little Fires Everywhere. The characters were vivid and unforgettable, and the plot had me hooked from the very first page to the last. It was a solid five-star read that I’d wholeheartedly recommend. Unfortunately, I can’t extend the same enthusiasm to “Our Missing Hearts.”

I must confess I’m not a huge fan of dystopian, futuristic novels. While I don’t shy away from sad tales, this one just felt a tad overwhelming for my taste. The pacing left me wanting, and I struggled to form any deep connections with the characters.
Author Celeste Ng is either a genius or this novel is just a random collection of streams of consciousness. Nothing much happened, and I gave up about midway through. If you’re into Margaret Atwood or Octavia Butler, you might give this a try. It wasn’t my jam. 2 stars.

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I wasn’t sure about an adult book with a 12 year old protagonist but it was worth it. I love when you think you know what is happening and then are surprised. I also love the Noah/Ethan dynamic. It is scary to think that this isn’t that much of a stretch of what could happen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the DRC.

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