Our Missing Hearts

A Novel

By: Celeste Ng

Narrated by: Lucy Liu, Celeste Ng

An instant New York Times bestseller • A New York Times Notable Book • Named a Best Book of the Year 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 Selection

“Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching . . . I was so invested in the future of this mother and son.” —Reese Witherspoon

“Riveting, tender, and timely.” —People

"Remarkable . . . An unflinching yet life-affirming drama about the power of art and love to push back in dangerous times." —Oprah Daily

From the #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, comes the inspiring new novel about a mother’s unshakeable love.

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.

Profound book for our times

A timely story that touches on racism, government overreach, personal integrity and survival. As always with Celeste Ng, beautifully written. Narration was outstanding. I highly recommend this book.

Powerful

Quite simply the most powerful book I’ve read since Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. It has forever changed the way I see missing children. Hopefully I’m just one small snowflake that will contribute to an avalanche of political change initiated by this incredible story. Thank you, Celeste.

Every American should read this book.

This is a powerful story that has reminded this senior citizen (who has always lived chest deep in white privilege) that our polarized
society would be better off embracing diversity and compassion. The narration is very well done and adds to the depth of the story. The characters change and grow. It is an un comfortable and fascinating read.

A Hauntingly familiar future

The words and ideas in this book will stay with you long after you finish listening. There is a lot of truth couched in the fiction of this book. Beautifully performed and written. One of the highlights of my year so far.

Such a beautiful story

I was sad when it was over. Lucy Lui is the perfect narrator for this gorgeous novel.