Celeste Ng's 'Our Missing Hearts' Captivates as Read With Jenna's Must-Read Pick

Prepare to be moved, inspired, and profoundly challenged: Celeste Ng’s mesmerizing new novel, “Our Missing Hearts,” has been crowned Jenna Bush Hager’s latest Read With Jenna book club pick! This highly anticipated release is not just a story; it's an urgent, tender, and fiercely resonant exploration of what it means to find your voice in a world determined to silence it.

Jenna herself couldn't contain her enthusiasm, declaring "Our Missing Hearts" as "one of my favorite books of the year." She described it as a "moving and beautiful" narrative that is "haunting" in its exploration of a mother's unwavering love, the transformative power of art, and the essential courage required to speak up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Ng, celebrated for her masterful storytelling in "Little Fires Everywhere" and "Everything I Never Told You," once again delivers a deeply human and incredibly timely narrative that will stay with you long after the final page.

Set in a dystopian America gripped by the draconian PACT law, which allows for the removal of children from families deemed "unpatriotic," "Our Missing Hearts" introduces us to twelve-year-old Bird Gardner.

Bird lives a quiet, cautious life with his father, having learned to suppress his curiosity and avoid any perceived dissent. But when a mysterious letter arrives, containing a cryptic drawing, it ignites a spark of hope and an undeniable need to find his mother. His mother, a Chinese American poet named Margaret Miu, vanished three years prior after her subversive poem became a symbol of resistance, casting a shadow over their lives.

Bird’s quest for his mother unravels a powerful narrative woven with themes of identity, sacrifice, and the profound, often unspoken, bonds of family.

As he navigates a landscape where libraries remove "dangerous" books and surveillance is ever-present, Bird discovers the hidden networks of courage and compassion that persist even in the darkest times. Ng brilliantly uses her narrative to illuminate the devastating impact of xenophobia and state-sanctioned fear, making her story an incredibly relevant mirror to our own world.

Critics have lauded "Our Missing Hearts" as a triumph, praising its "propulsive and exquisite" prose, its "timely" message, and Ng's masterful ability to craft characters that feel heartbreakingly real.

It’s a novel that challenges readers to consider the true cost of silence and the enduring strength of the human spirit when confronted with injustice. More than just a dystopian tale, it is a testament to the enduring power of stories and art to ignite change, foster connection, and remind us that even when hearts go missing, hope can always be found.

Join Jenna and countless readers in delving into this unforgettable journey.

"Our Missing Hearts" is not merely a book to be read; it is an experience to be felt, discussed, and remembered, urging us all to listen to the whispers of our own consciences and find the courage to protect what truly matters.