Reviews - The Heartbeat Library

The Heartbeat Library by Laura Imai Messina

220 reviews for:

The Library of Heartbeats by Laura Imai Messina is a unique, moving but ultimately uplifting book that took my breath away. Like The Phone Box at the Edge of the World before it, it is a beautifully written and mesmerising story of love, loss, friendship and hope that I know will stay with me for a long time to come.

In the ancient city of Kamakura, Shuichi, a forty year old illustrator, returns to his home town to fix up the house of his recently deceased mother. There he encounters eight year old Kenta, a child who wanders like a shadow around Shuichi’s house.

As the trust between Shuichi and Kenta grows, they discover they share a bond that will tie them together for life. Their journey will lead them to the Japanese island of Teshima and to the library of heartbeats, a place where the heartbeats of visitors from all around the world are collected. In this small, isolated building, the heartbeats of people who are still alive or have already passed away continue to echo.

The Library of Heartbeats is a powerful and thought provoking novel that moved me beyond words, bringing to mind my own personal losses as I allowed myself to be swept away on a journey of love, loss, friendship and hope…

Laura Imai Messina has a beautiful and distinctive writing style that is skilfully brought to life by translator Lucy Rand. A beautifully written and unique book, The Library of Heartbeats is an emotional tale that really did touch my heart.

A moving and thought provoking read that I would recommend.

marie_15's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

t_barnett207's review against another edition

3.5

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

psykokiwi's review against another edition

2.0

Forse consiglierei questo libro se si sta cercando qualcosa di veramente "sentimentale". Niente di più.

rachlincs's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I found this book shortly after a bereavement and it has provided a very healing experience.
It's easy to read but beautiful with twists and turns than deepen the story. I think it is going to be a book that needs rereading to keep absorbing the detail. I borrowed this copy from the library, but I will need to add my own copy to my collection.

Content Warnings