Dear Bookclub,
Celeste Ng's "Our Missing Hearts" chilled ours with a dystopia highly imaginable. TikTok national security concerns, anti-Asian discrimination, separation of children from their families at the border, stolen election debate, AI misinformation dangers, etc., etc.... How odd and plausible PACT (The Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act) would be.
Our discussion was anemic. We were thrilled to be together but our lunchtime conversation at Hoorah's proved challenging with a robust noise level. The general consensus being unenthusiastic about the book, the depressing tone dragged down our readers. I personally liked the writing and the Ng's ability to weave a thoughtful tale; this sentiment, also shared by Terry, who was unable to attend. Having the library, books and story-telling as agents in the novel endeared me.
Washington Post Live's series, "Race in America" features an interview with Celeste Ng. Always fascinating to hear an author's voice and sentiment, Ng's emphasis on her motivations and fears are especially worth the listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckcox7hHkcY
Val's suggestions for an upcoming read:
"If Walls Could Speak" Moshe Safdie
"Lessons" Ian McEwan *chosen
"The Good Sister" Sally Hepworth
Up next:
Happy reading,
LK
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