Also by this author: A Well-Tempered Heart
Published by Other Press on January 31st 2012
Pages: 325
Format: Audiobook
ISBN: 1590514637
ASIN: B004ZZP5M4
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A poignant and inspirational love story set in Burma, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats spans the decades between the 1950s and the present. When a successful New York lawyer suddenly disappears without a trace, neither his wife nor his daughter Julia has any idea where he might be…until they find a love letter he wrote many years ago, to a Burmese woman they have never heard of. Intent on solving the mystery and coming to terms with her father’s past, Julia decides to travel to the village where the woman lived. There she uncovers a tale of unimaginable hardship, resilience, and passion that will reaffirm the reader’s belief in the power of love to move mountains.
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When I downloaded my audio copy of The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker I must confess to an almost prurient interest in the story because of the book descriptions’ implication that this was going to be one of those cases of a man with two families leading a double life. There’s bound to be a little hanky-panky, intrigue, and romance in a book like that – right? While it’s true all those elements are present, that flippant statement about my expectations doesn’t even begin to describe what I found in this book. I did have a moment of consternation when I started listening and learned that the book had been translated from German because writing styles are so personal and can often be the quality that makes or breaks a book. I neither speak nor read German, but I’m going to give credit up front to the author and his translator Kevin Wiliarty. I can’t imagine this book being any more beautifully written in the original language than it is in the English translation.
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is profound and moving without being preachy. It is the best kind of love story: one that is between two people who complete each other. The connection between the two main characters, Tin Win and Mi Mi is almost mystical and survives unimaginable adversity and separation. This is not a story that is going to appeal to every reader. There is a definite need to suspend any latent cynicism. And don’t even begin this book if you are a reader who has a need for the actions of characters to make sense by your personal standards because this book is going to be baffling to you. If, however, you are a reader who accepts characters as they are, wherever you find them, this book will take you on a magical journey that will run the gamut of your emotions.
My review would not be complete without praise for the narrator Cassandra Campbell. Her insightful reading style is a prime example of what makes the narration so critical to audiobooks. There were times when I practically felt myself floating above the characters and watching their story unfold as she read. I could almost hear their hearts beating. If you have an opportunity, I recommend any book read by this narrator.
Although the author has written a sequel, A Well-Tempered Heart, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is a stand alone. . .there is no cliffhanger but a satisfying conclusion although it may not be the one you are anticipating. And there is a surprising revelation which you may or may not figure out on your own before the end.
[…] Well-Tempered Heart by Jan-Philipp Sendker, Kevin Wiliarty Also by this author: The Art of Hearing Heartbeats Published by Other Press, Blackstone Audio on January 21st 2014 Genres: Fiction Pages: 400 Format: […]