An Eerie Cautionary Tale
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in understanding the role that history plays in our present and future. Some people argue that it is our duty to learn from the past, in order to make better decisions for the future. Others believe that history is a tool used by those who want to control us, and that we should not be too interested in it. Still others believe that history is important for teaching children about the world around them, and how they can make their own choices.
In 2020, a certain viral outbreak caused a lot of violence against Asians in the United States. This led to a lot of people wondering what could happen if this kind of thing continued to happen. In Our Missing Hearts, Celeste Ng takes bits of different dystopian novels and creates a story that is both chilling and thought-provoking. The book is about how society can be manipulated and how free speech can be repressed. It is an excellent read that will leave you thinking about the future.
But when Bird’s father is taken away in a secret government operation, Ethan must take on the role of breadwinner and protect his son. With the help of a mysterious woman, Bird must find out what happened to his father and why he was taken away. Along the way, he must navigate the dangerous waters of America’s political landscape in order to find answers.
Bird’s mother, Margaret, is a Chinese American poet and deemed by society as a dangerous terrorist and a menace. However, when Bird receives a cryptic letter with pictures of cats on and a presumed link to his mum, he’s thrust into a quest to try and find her. In doing so, Bird learns more about the world he inhabits – and the lie that’s blanketed him from the awful truth lying in plain view.
Our Missing Hearts is a well-written book that deals with themes of missing people and the close resemblance to present day America. However, there is a feeling that this has been written in a way to try and get a serial adaptation made.
The first chapter, “PACT: The Game That Changed the World,” is about how the game of PACT led to the downfall of civilizations and the end of human history. The second, “The End of History?” is about how PACT could have led to a new world order, but instead it caused humanity to fall apart.
While the article is interesting, it can be a little tedious to read because there is not a lot of PACT happening. Thankfully, when PACT does show up, it has a lot of gravitas.
The ambiguous, open-ended conclusion is likely to be another point of contention though. While I personally quite like it, the fate for some of the characters is left completely open for interpretation. I’m not sure whether the intent here is to write in a sequel or leave it to ponder for our own imaginations, but given the time we spend with this world, it would have been nice to see the outcome of the group’s efforts come to fruition… or not, as the case could well be.
The characters in this book are not all that fleshed out. Bird Gardner is a plucky youngster and easy to root for, while Ethan carries the weight of the world on his shoulders; it’s hard not to feel sorry for the guy. Learning more about Margaret’s struggles though is easily one of the big highlights of the whole book.
Our Missing Hearts is a gripping, dark novel that has strong themes and a believable world. While some of the plot holes are frustrating, the overall story is well-constructed and leaves you feeling satisfied after reading it. The realism rippling through this is certainly eerie and plays out as a cautionary tale about society.
If the pen is truly mightier than the sword, then the one Celeste Ng used to write Our Missing Hearts is sharp enough to cut you deep. This is not an easy book to read, and in many ways it’s not supposed to be. It’s an uncomfortable page-turner but a very good one all the same, and well worth a read.
In the end, the book’s main point is that love is a powerful force and can be so destructive.
