Monday, January 23, 2023

Monday Moments - Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng


 Celeste Ng in Our Missing Hearts captures currents issues in a heartrending tale. How can civilized communities ignore searing injustice?  cover blurb: 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. 

Bird Gardner, twelve, lives with his father in a very quiet way. Don't stand out. Don't ask questions. Don't stray. His mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet has been gone for three years. 

New laws - PACT- preserve "American culture" to keep peace. Now children can be relocated from so-called  dissident parents, people of Asian background are persecuted, books have been removed that are deemed unpatriotic. (This includes Margaret Miu's poetry book) 

Bird receives a mysterious letter. Slowly he remembers his mother's stories, folktales, and goes on a quest to find her. Underground library networks lead the way to New York City. Will a new act of defiance begin much needed change? (cover blurb)

Celeste Ng is a beautiful writer and I hated to turn the last page. I could quote tons of paragraphs here filled with glorious phrasing. 

When are you ever done with the  story of someone you love? You turn on the most  precious of your memories over and over, wearing their edges smooth, warming then again with your heat. 

I highly recommend Our Missing  Hearts.  This book will touch yours. 

6 comments:

  1. Oh, that is a beautiful quote. Thank you for the review!

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  2. Hi Joanne - certainly one to be read ... I'll order it at the library ... it sounds very intriguing, informative and thought-provoking ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Absolutely. I am glad my review intrigued you

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