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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
5/5. Such a wonderful story, I hadn't expected it to be so good again. Even though I found the premise to be a little... unbelievable at first , the story more than makes up for it by being almost magical.
Buddyread with Kim!
Spoiler
(Julia hearing a voice which then turns out to be the soul of a deceased Burmese mother)Buddyread with Kim!
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I would not have loved this book if I read it at a different point of my life. The book takes place years after "The Art Of Hearing Heartbeats." Julia is working as a corporate lawyer in New York City that is both romantic and cold at the same time. She finds herself questioning the choices she made in life. Did they make her happy? I found myself in a similar situation a year ago. I felt as if I was going through the motions in my life. It was quite robotic. I needed a change of scenery, so I picked up my things and flew across the ocean quite similarly to the protagonist. For Julia, her return to Burma seems like a dream. She has no idea why she is back, but she is glad to see U Ba. She doesn't know what is in store for her, but she kind of likes the uncertainty and suspense which is a great summation of my time away from America. The story does drag a little bit, but it is testing our patience like many of the characters in the novel. It can be very idealistic and out there, but is it bad to believe in the ideal and the unreal? The ending will leave you asking...for whom...for what...why do you live?
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a stunning and beautiful sequel to [b:The Art of Hearing Heartbeats|11331421|The Art of Hearing Heartbeats|Jan-Philipp Sendker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320437247l/11331421._SY75_.jpg|6504537]. Now, in theory, because a decade has passed between the two books and because this book takes us on a different journey (in Burma), it could almost be a standalone, but I personally would read it in order, because both are SO good and powerful.
I don't know what to say that would give away the book! I do like how the author leaves it up to us to devise an ending, it's open ended and yet, sufficient and hopeful.
Maw Maw. So much more powerful than Mulan and Katniss Everdeen. If you happen to read this review and then, start reading the book and are like, who is Maw Maw?? The revelation is mind-blowing. Or to me it was at least.
This exchange that Julia has is SO powerful and one of those exchanges that sticks with you long after you've read the story (from the end of Part 3's Chapter 6)
"What does love have to do with imprisonment?"
"To forgive, one must love and be loved. Only those who forgive can be free. Whoever forgives is a prisoner no more."
I know, right?!
And then, there's this, which is pretty hilarious and is, in a way, comic relief. ALMOST.
"Is my mom telling you to kiss me?"
"No. No. No."
Haha. Highly recommended good read, but start with [b:The Art of Hearing Heartbeats|11331421|The Art of Hearing Heartbeats|Jan-Philipp Sendker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320437247l/11331421._SY75_.jpg|6504537].
I don't know what to say that would give away the book! I do like how the author leaves it up to us to devise an ending, it's open ended and yet, sufficient and hopeful.
Maw Maw. So much more powerful than Mulan and Katniss Everdeen. If you happen to read this review and then, start reading the book and are like, who is Maw Maw?? The revelation is mind-blowing. Or to me it was at least.
This exchange that Julia has is SO powerful and one of those exchanges that sticks with you long after you've read the story (from the end of Part 3's Chapter 6)
"What does love have to do with imprisonment?"
"To forgive, one must love and be loved. Only those who forgive can be free. Whoever forgives is a prisoner no more."
I know, right?!
And then, there's this, which is pretty hilarious and is, in a way, comic relief. ALMOST.
"Is my mom telling you to kiss me?"
"No. No. No."
Haha. Highly recommended good read, but start with [b:The Art of Hearing Heartbeats|11331421|The Art of Hearing Heartbeats|Jan-Philipp Sendker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320437247l/11331421._SY75_.jpg|6504537].
Breathtaking, heartbreaking, though provoking - a look at life and the choices we make that lead us forward. Choosing for yourself the way you want to live, despite hurt, betrayal, and the unknown. I could not put it down. This series is a life changer.
This poetic novel drew me in to the hearts of its characters. I instantly remembered the rhythm of this writing from " The Art of Hearing Heartbeats."
I hope their is another sequel.
I hope their is another sequel.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the sequel so much more than the first book. The first book seemed so cliche. Also I just didn’t like the father in the first book and how little he gave to his family. Yeah his true love was away but he didn’t have to do his second family so dirty.
The story of Thar That and Nu Nu was lovely. I think U Ba was a better character in this book and not just secret wise old guy. I enjoyed that Julia had more of a role in this book rather than just being a means for the story like she was in the first.
I would like a follow up to this book but maybe wondering happens is better than it being spelled out.
The story of Thar That and Nu Nu was lovely. I think U Ba was a better character in this book and not just secret wise old guy. I enjoyed that Julia had more of a role in this book rather than just being a means for the story like she was in the first.
I would like a follow up to this book but maybe wondering happens is better than it being spelled out.
This book really surprised me.
I enjoyed the first book, but I loved this one. In the beginning, Julia is lost. She is kind of tired of her work, she has not been back to Burma for years when she decides to go back. She discovers the story of Nu Nu, and Julia goes on a journey throughout the country to find people that can tell her more about her.
The story carefully builds as you learn more about Nu Nu and her family. It goes through war, poverty, postpartum-depression and in the end it is a story about family and finding yourself and your place in the world. As Julia learns more about Nu Nu, she kind of discovered herself in the midst of it all, learning what actually matters in life and what she wants to do with hers.
It is gripping, sad and wonderful at the same time. You read about people who have been through so much in their lives, but still, find happiness in the simplest of things. It makes you question your own life, how you live it and what you value.
I highly recommend you have some tissues at hand when you read this book. In the end, you will do some self-reflecting and come out a better person than you were when you started the book.
I enjoyed the first book, but I loved this one. In the beginning, Julia is lost. She is kind of tired of her work, she has not been back to Burma for years when she decides to go back. She discovers the story of Nu Nu, and Julia goes on a journey throughout the country to find people that can tell her more about her.
The story carefully builds as you learn more about Nu Nu and her family. It goes through war, poverty, postpartum-depression and in the end it is a story about family and finding yourself and your place in the world. As Julia learns more about Nu Nu, she kind of discovered herself in the midst of it all, learning what actually matters in life and what she wants to do with hers.
It is gripping, sad and wonderful at the same time. You read about people who have been through so much in their lives, but still, find happiness in the simplest of things. It makes you question your own life, how you live it and what you value.
I highly recommend you have some tissues at hand when you read this book. In the end, you will do some self-reflecting and come out a better person than you were when you started the book.