Just as with her widely acclaimed Little Fires Everywhere (one of my personal favourites), Ng handles big, tough topics like censorship and racism in a way that doesn’t feel too heavy. At its heart, though, this is a story about the love between a mother and her son, and how that bond can survive even the most difficult circumstances. It’s a really touching and hopeful story, even when things get pretty dark.
Ng has undoubtedly drawn from both recent and historical events in capturing the themes of this story, something she explores further in the Author's Note at the end. In fact, while I was reading Our Missing Hearts, horrendous acts of racist terrorism were happening on the streets across the UK. The story is a harsh reminder that what when certain events line up in just the right (or wrong) way, the once unthinkable can become the norm before we've even had time to process what’s happening.
If you’re in the mood for something thought-provoking but still full of heart, Our Missing Hearts is a great choice.
