Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng is a haunting and deeply resonant novel set in a near-future dystopia where societal fear and control have reached unprecedented levels. The story follows twelve-year-old Bird Gardner, a boy living under oppressive laws designed to maintain "American culture" by silencing dissent and removing children from parents deemed unfit.

Bird’s life changes when he receives a mysterious letter containing a cryptic drawing that reconnects him to his mother, a Chinese-American poet whose works have been condemned as subversive. Driven by questions about his heritage, his mother’s disappearance, and the world around him, Bird embarks on a journey to uncover truths that society has tried to erase. At its heart, the novel is a poignant exploration of family, identity, and the power of art in the face of authoritarianism.

Why Read This Book

• Experience a beautifully written, thought-provoking narrative that combines personal and societal struggles.
• Reflect on timely themes of racial injustice, censorship, and the loss of personal freedoms.
• Explore the bond between parent and child in a world that seeks to sever such connections.
• Witness the power of literature and art as acts of resistance against tyranny.
• Immerse yourself in Celeste Ng’s lyrical prose and her ability to create deeply human characters in extraordinary circumstances.

About the Author

Celeste Ng is an acclaimed novelist known for her nuanced storytelling and exploration of complex family dynamics and societal issues. Her debut novel, Everything I Never Told You, was a bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Her second novel, Little Fires Everywhere, was a critical and commercial success, adapted into a popular television series. In Our Missing Hearts, Ng further cements her reputation as a master storyteller, offering a compelling vision of resilience and hope in challenging times.