In Celeste Ng's new book, "Our Missing Hearts," the American Dream has become a nightmare. Set in a near-future United States where the government has taken a draconian approach to immigration, the novel follows Bird Gardner, a 12-year-old boy whose Chinese-American mother disappeared without a trace when he was just a baby.
Bird believes that his mother was taken by the PACT (Preserving American Culture and Tradition) Act, a government program that forcibly separates children from their immigrant parents. With the help of his grandmother and a network of underground activists, Bird sets out on a journey to find his mother, uncovering a far-reaching conspiracy along the way.
Our Missing Hearts is a powerful and moving story about family, immigration, and the American Dream. Ng's writing is lyrical and evocative, and her characters are complex and well-developed. This novel is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and anyone interested in the current political climate in the United States.
celeste ng new book
Celeste Ng's new book explores:
- Family
- Immigration
- American Dream
- Government Surveillance
- Activism
- Love
- Loss
- Hope
Our Missing Hearts is a powerful and moving story that will stay with readers long after they finish reading it.
Family
At the heart of Our Missing Hearts is the story of a family torn apart by the government's PACT Act. Bird's mother, Margaret, is taken away by the government when he is just a baby, and he is left to be raised by his grandmother, Sai. Despite the challenges they face, Bird and Sai have a strong and loving relationship.
- Family bonds:
Our Missing Hearts explores the powerful bonds between family members, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Bird and Sai's love for each other helps them to survive the challenges they face.
- The importance of family history:
Bird's journey to find his mother leads him to learn more about his family history, and he comes to appreciate the sacrifices that his ancestors made for him. This knowledge helps him to become a stronger and more resilient person.
- The impact of government policies on families:
The PACT Act has a devastating impact on families, tearing them apart and causing untold suffering. Bird's story highlights the human cost of government policies that target immigrants.
- The power of hope:
Despite the challenges they face, Bird and Sai never give up hope of finding Margaret. Their story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.
Our Missing Hearts is a powerful and moving story about the importance of family, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of hope.
Immigration
Our Missing Hearts is set in a near-future United States where the government has taken a draconian approach to immigration. The PACT Act, which stands for Preserving American Culture and Tradition, forcibly separates children from their immigrant parents. This policy has resulted in the disappearance of thousands of children, including Bird's mother, Margaret.
Bird's story highlights the devastating impact of the PACT Act on immigrant families. He is forced to grow up without his mother, and he lives in constant fear of being taken away by the government. His grandmother, Sai, is also affected by the PACT Act. She is constantly worried about Bird's safety, and she is afraid of speaking out against the government.
Our Missing Hearts also explores the broader issue of immigration in the United States. Ng shows how immigrants are often scapegoated and blamed for the country's problems. She also highlights the resilience of immigrants, who often come to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families.
Ng's novel is a powerful indictment of the Trump administration's immigration policies. She shows how these policies have created a climate of fear and division in the United States. Our Missing Hearts is a timely and important novel that sheds light on one of the most pressing issues facing the country today.
In addition to the points above, Our Missing Hearts also explores the following themes related to immigration:
- The importance of sanctuary cities
- The role of the media in shaping public opinion about immigration
- The challenges faced by undocumented immigrants
- The power of community organizing
American Dream
The American Dream is a central theme in Our Missing Hearts. Bird's mother, Margaret, came to the United States from China in search of a better life for herself and her family. She was able to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, and she raised Bird to be a kind and compassionate person. However, the PACT Act shatters Margaret's dreams and destroys her family.
Bird's journey to find his mother is also a quest to reclaim the American Dream. He wants to live in a country where everyone is treated equally, regardless of their race or ethnicity. He wants to live in a country where families are not torn apart by government policies. Bird's story shows that the American Dream is still possible, but it is under threat from those who would divide us.
Ng's novel also explores the darker side of the American Dream. She shows how the pursuit of wealth and power can lead to greed, corruption, and inequality. She also shows how the American Dream can be used to justify racism, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination.
Our Missing Hearts is a timely and important novel that challenges us to rethink the American Dream. Ng shows that the Dream is not something that can be taken for granted. It is something that we must constantly fight for and defend.
In addition to the points above, Our Missing Hearts also explores the following themes related to the American Dream:
- The myth of meritocracy
- The impact of capitalism on families and communities
- The role of education in achieving the American Dream
- The importance of community and belonging
Government Surveillance
Ourâche is set in a near-future United States where the government has dramatically expanded its surveillance powers. The PACT Act, which stands for Preserving American Culture andâche, allows the government to collect vast amounts of data on its citizens, including their phone calls, emails, and internet activity. This data is used to track people's movements, identify dissidents, and suppress dissent.
- The erosion of privacy:
The PACT Act gives the government unprecedented powers to invade the privacy of its citizens. This erosion of privacy has a chilling effect on free speech and association, and it makes it difficult for people to exercise their democratic rights.
- The targeting of marginalized communities:
The PACT Act is used to target marginalized communities, such as immigrants, Muslims, and activists. This surveillance is often conducted without a warrant, and it can lead to harassment, intimidation, and even deportation.
- The creation of a surveillance state:
The PACT Act is part of a larger trend towards the creation of a surveillance state in the United States. This state is characterized by the widespread use of surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition and predictive policing, to monitor and control the population.
- The threat to democracy:
The expansion of government surveillance powers poses a serious threat to democracy. It makes it difficult for people to hold their government accountable, and it can lead to the suppression of dissent.
Ourâche is a timely and important novel that warns of the dangers of government surveillance. Ng's novel shows how surveillance can be used to control and suppress the population, and it highlights the importance of fighting for our privacy and our democratic rights.
Activism
Our Missing Hearts features several characters who are involved in activism. These characters show how ordinary people can make a difference in the world by fighting for what they believe in.
- The power of grassroots organizing:
The novel highlights the power of grassroots organizing to resist government oppression. Bird and his friends form a network of underground activists who help to reunite families that have been torn apart by the PACT Act.
- The importance of art and literature:
The novel also shows how art and literature can be used to raise awareness of social issues and inspire people to take action. Bird's grandmother, Sai, is a poet who uses her writing to speak out against the government's policies.
- The role of intergenerational solidarity:
The novel also emphasizes the importance of intergenerational solidarity in the fight for social justice. Bird and his grandmother work together to resist the government's oppression, and they learn from each other's experiences.
- The need for hope and resilience:
The novel shows how hope and resilience can sustain activists in the face of adversity. Even when the odds are stacked against them, Bird and his friends never give up hope of changing the world for the better.
Our Missing Hearts is a powerful and inspiring novel that celebrates the power of activism. Ng's novel shows that ordinary people can make a difference in the world by fighting for what they believe in.
Love
Love is a powerful force in Our Missing Hearts. It is the love between Bird and his grandmother, Sai, that sustains them through the challenges they face. It is the love between Bird and his friends that helps them to form a network of underground activists. And it is the love between Bird and his mother, Margaret, that drives him to find her, no matter the cost.
Ng shows how love can overcome even the most difficult circumstances. Even though Bird and Sai live in a society where the government is trying to divide them, their love for each other remains strong. Even though Bird and his friends are risking their lives to fight against the government, their love for each other gives them the strength to continue.
Ng also shows how love can be a source of hope. Even though Bird knows that the odds are stacked against him, he never gives up hope of finding his mother. His love for her gives him the strength to keep fighting, even when it seems impossible.
Our Missing Hearts is a powerful and moving story about the power of love. Ng's novel shows how love can overcome adversity, inspire hope, and change the world.
In addition to the points above, Our Missing Hearts also explores the following themes related to love:
- The love between parents and children
- The love between friends
- The love between romantic partners
- The love of community
- The love of country
Loss
Loss is a major theme in Our Missing Hearts. The novel explores the different ways that people experience loss, and how they can cope with it.
- The loss of a loved one:
One of the most significant losses in the novel is the loss of Bird's mother, Margaret. Bird is just a baby when Margaret is taken away by the government, and he grows up without her. This loss has a profound impact on Bird, and he spends much of the novel searching for her.
- The loss of innocence:
Another major loss in the novel is the loss of innocence. Bird grows up in a world where the government is constantly monitoring its citizens, and where people are afraid to speak out against the government. This loss of innocence is a major source of pain for Bird, and it leads him to question everything he thought he knew about the world.
- The loss of hope:
In a world where the government is increasingly oppressive, it can be difficult to maintain hope. Many of the characters in the novel struggle with this loss of hope. However, Bird never gives up hope of finding his mother, and his story is a testament to the power of hope, even in the darkest of times.
- The loss of community:
The PACT Act has also led to the loss of community. Families have been torn apart, and people are afraid to trust each other. This loss of community is a major obstacle to resistance against the government, and it makes it difficult for people to build a better future.
Our Missing Hearts is a powerful and moving story about the different ways that people experience loss. Ng's novel shows how loss can be a source of pain and suffering, but it can also be a catalyst for change.
Hope
In the midst of all the darkness and despair, Our Missing Hearts is ultimately a story of hope. Bird never gives up hope of finding his mother, even when the odds are stacked against him. His friends and family also never lose hope, even when they are faced with unimaginable challenges.
Ng shows how hope can be a powerful force for change. Even though the government is trying to suppress dissent, Bird and his friends never stop fighting for what they believe in. They know that they are fighting for a better future, and they never give up hope that they will achieve their goals.
Ng also shows how hope can be contagious. Bird's story inspires others to join the fight against the government. More and more people begin to speak out against the PACT Act, and they begin to demand change. This shows that hope can spread, and that it can lead to positive change.
Our Missing Hearts is a timely and important novel that offers a message of hope in a time of darkness. Ng's novel shows that even in the most difficult of circumstances, hope can never be extinguished.
In addition to the points above, Our Missing Hearts also explores the following themes related to hope:
- The power of hope to overcome adversity
- The importance of hope in the face of despair
- The role of hope in inspiring change
- The contagious nature of hope
- The importance of never giving up hope
FAQ
Have questions about Our Missing Hearts? Here are some frequently asked questions:
Question 1: What is Our Missing Hearts about?
Answer 1: Our Missing Hearts is a novel set in a near-future United States where the government has taken a draconian approach to immigration. The novel follows Bird Gardner, a 12-year-old boy whose Chinese-American mother disappeared without a trace when he was just a baby.
Question 2: What is the PACT Act?
Answer 2: The PACT Act is a government program that forcibly separates children from their immigrant parents. This policy has resulted in the disappearance of thousands of children, including Bird's mother.
Question 3: What is the significance of the title Our Missing Hearts?
Answer 3: The title of the novel refers to the missing children who have been taken by the government. It also refers to the missing sense of hope and belonging that many people feel in the novel's dystopian world.
Question 4: What themes does the novel explore?
Answer 4: The novel explores a wide range of themes, including family, immigration, the American Dream, government surveillance, activism, love, loss, and hope.
Question 5: Who is Celeste Ng?
Answer 5: Celeste Ng is an American author. She is the author of two previous novels, Everything I Never Told You and Little Fires Everywhere. Both novels were critical and commercial successes.
Question 6: Where can I buy Our Missing Hearts?
Answer 6: Our Missing Hearts is available for purchase at most major bookstores and online retailers.
Question 7: Is Our Missing Hearts a good book?
Answer 7: Yes, Our Missing Hearts is a powerful and moving novel that has received critical acclaim. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and anyone interested in the current political climate in the United States.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Our Missing Hearts. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask your local librarian or bookseller.
Now that you know more about Our Missing Hearts, you can check out these tips for getting the most out of your reading experience.
Tips
Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your reading experience with Our Missing Hearts:
Tip 1: Read the book slowly and carefully.
Our Missing Hearts is a complex and nuanced novel that rewards careful reading. Take your time to savor the language and imagery, and pay attention to the details. This will help you to fully appreciate the story and its themes.
Tip 2: Keep a journal as you read.
Writing down your thoughts and reactions as you read can help you to process the story and to identify the themes that are most meaningful to you. You can also use your journal to track your progress and to set goals for yourself.
Tip 3: Discuss the book with friends or family.
Talking about Our Missing Hearts with others can help you to gain new insights into the story and its themes. You can also learn from the different perspectives of your friends and family members.
Tip 4: Do some research on the historical and political context of the novel.
Our Missing Hearts is set in a near-future United States, but it also draws on real-world events and issues. Doing some research on the historical and political context of the novel can help you to better understand the story and its relevance to the real world.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
By following these tips, you can get the most out of your reading experience with Our Missing Hearts. This novel is a powerful and moving story that is sure to stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Now that you have some tips for getting the most out of your reading experience, you can learn more about the author, Celeste Ng, and her other works.
Conclusion
Our Missing Hearts is a powerful and moving novel that explores a wide range of important themes, including family, immigration, the American Dream, government surveillance, activism, love, loss, and hope. Ng's writing is lyrical and evocative, and her characters are complex and well-developed. This novel is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and anyone interested in the current political climate in the United States.
The novel's protagonist, Bird Gardner, is a compelling and sympathetic character. He is a young boy who is trying to find his place in a world that is increasingly hostile to immigrants. Bird's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and it is sure to stay with readers long after they finish reading the novel.
Ng's novel is also a timely and important reminder of the dangers of government overreach. The PACT Act, which forcibly separates children from their immigrant parents, is a clear violation of human rights. Ng's novel shows how this policy can have devastating consequences for families and communities.
Ultimately, Our Missing Hearts is a story of hope. Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future. Bird's story is a reminder that we must never give up fighting for what we believe in.