Our Missing Hearts
Celeste Ng's novel, "Our Missing Hearts," takes place in a dystopian America where real-life tragedies and historical events are woven into the narrative. The story is set in a not-too-distant future where an authoritarian government has taken power, rolling back civil liberties and imposing strict laws to enforce patriotic behavior. The protagonist, Bird Gardner, is a 12-year-old boy living with his father in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bird's mother, Margaret Miu, a Chinese American poet, has abandoned the family, and her whereabouts are unknown.
The novel explores themes of grief, hope, and the importance of memory and cultural legacy. Bird embarks on a quest to find his mother, encountering a world filled with state surveillance, cultural censorship, and the erasure of books. The government has implemented the Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act (PACT), which allows for the removal of children from parents deemed un-American. Libraries are forced to remove books seen as unpatriotic, and the books are recycled into toilet paper.
Ng's narrative structure seamlessly weaves together myths and folktales, creating a rich and layered story. Bird travels from Cambridge to New York City in search of his mother. Along the way, he encounters an underground network of librarians and discovers the moral bankruptcy of the regime. The novel explores the power of communication and the importance of preserving one's cultural heritage.
The plot, the structure, and the way the story gradually unfolds were all written in a way immediately drew me in. Although the book's setting was described as a "dystopian future," the details relating to book banning were all too familiar. "Our Missing Hearts" is a thought-provoking and timely novel that raises questions about the erosion of civil liberties, the impact of authoritarianism, and the resilience of the human spirit. Ng's skillful storytelling and compelling characters make this a captivating read for those interested in dystopian fiction and social commentary.
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