The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, a novel by Jan-Philipp Sendker is a magical love story set in a rich Burmese background.
Julia Win, a budding New York attorney, travels to Burma to learn why her father abandoned his wife and two grown children four years earlier. Julia traces her father, Tin Win, to the small town of Kalaw, Burma after finding a love letter among his possessions addressed to a woman named Mi Mi. She stops at a tea house where an old man, U Ba, promises to tell her the story of her father’s life in Burma before he came to New York.
According to the story, Tin Win’s mother abandons her son when she learns from an astrologer that her son, born on an unlucky day, is cursed. Shortly after his mother leaves, Tin Win becomes blind. A loving neighbor takes him in and he attends school at a monastery. One day he meets a beautiful, crippled but lively young woman, Mi Mi. They form a friendship that over a period of years turns to love that knows no bounds. Mi Mi rides on Tin Win’s back, she directing him through their treks by pressing on his shoulders, and he giving her the freedom of travel.
Tin Win’s rich uncle in Rangoon sends for him out of need to avoid a prophecy given him by an astrologer. According to the astrologer, the uncle must give aid to Tin Win or suffer dire consequences. Although broken hearted, Tin Win is bound by tradition to obey his uncle. One event leads to another—Tin Win’s vision is restored, he is considered brilliant and sent to college, and eventually goes to America to represent his uncle’s business interests. In the meantime, the uncle learns of Tin Win and Mi Mi’s love and thwarts their efforts to communicate with each other. Yet, their strong love transcends time and distance.
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is a story rich in Burmese culture and tradition. Sendker’s detailed descriptions evoke vivid pictures of countryside, people, even tiny insects. It is a love story of amazing depth and endurance.
To learn more about Jan-Philipp Sendker and his debut novel, visit http://artofhearingheartbeats.com/
It must be an emotional book with vivid descriptions about people and the place. I’ll add it to my “to read” list.
I think you’ll like this book, Hema. The cultural aspects are very interesting.