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The Art of Hearing Heartbeats  By  cover art

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats

By: Jan-Philipp Sendker
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

A poignant and inspirational love story set in Burma, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats spans the decades between the 1950s and the present.

When a successful New York lawyer suddenly disappears without a trace, neither his wife nor his daughter Julia has any idea where he might be - until they find a love letter he wrote many years ago to a Burmese woman they have never heard of. Intent on solving the mystery and coming to terms with her father’s past, Julia decides to travel to the village where the woman lived. There she uncovers a tale of unimaginable hardship, resilience, and passion that will reaffirm the listener’s belief in the power of love to move mountains.

Jan-Philipp Sendker, born in Hamburg in 1960, was the American correspondent for Stern from 1990 to 1995 and its Asian correspondent from 1995 to 1999. In 2000 he published Cracks in the Great Wall, a nonfiction book about China. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is his first novel. He lives in Berlin with his family.

©2002 Karl Blessing Verlag. Translation 2006 by Kevin Wiliarty (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Absolute magic…Like a spell, it haunts. Like love, it’s going to endure.” (Caroline Leavitt, New York Times best-selling author)

What listeners say about The Art of Hearing Heartbeats

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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Story
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book!

This is a beautiful story. It was well written using vivid images. An amazing story of true and deeply felt love! It's lovely how the characters never doubted the love, but always knew it existed. It gives the reader an incredible image of love.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing tale. ..full of love and devotion.

A most amazing story of a world a secret to most of us with a very special ending.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • JW
  • 03-13-13

A kind story about life and it's lessons...

What did you love best about The Art of Hearing Heartbeats?

I loved the characters. They developed and grew as the story was told.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mimi. She is a wonderfully selfless character who brings happiness to all who love her.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

A gentle soothing voice and a perfect tone for storytelling.

Who was the most memorable character of The Art of Hearing Heartbeats and why?

Tin Win was the most memorable character. You learn to admire him from the time he is a small boy abandoned by his mother until he reaches adulthood. His path back to his destiny is twisted but as you read on you want him to be successful... heartwarming story of true love at its best.

Any additional comments?

A beautiful story too good to miss.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Lovely story

Lovely story but very long and detailed. Worth it. I would recommend this book. Reader has a nice voice. Easy to listen and understand.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This is a story that touches your heart

I read a lot of books, some good and some not so good. But every now and again one comes along that touches your heart with the simplicity of the message and beauty in the story. Just love this book

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Meh

I had high hopes for this selection. Absolutely a beautiful story but I cannot explain why it fell flat for me.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just as wonderful as the first time.

I have purchased the third in the series and decided to reread from the first time. It entranced me the same as it did the first time I read it. it really is a must read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The true Art of Storytelling! Narrator sublime!

This book reminded me of why I love literature! The author conveyed the meaning of life and man's existence to the purest form. Ironically not heavy just true to the soul. I I remained pleasantly Spellbound from beginning to end!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Retreat

The narrator's performance added to the story for me. A young woman travels to her father's home village to understand his leaving. She meets a villager who tells the story of her father and unravels a different and richer perspective. Many pearls of wisdom are dropped along the way. If I was reading this book, it would have lots of highlights for phrases to ponder further. The book started slow for me but then I had trouble stepping away from it. I took away a star for this, my trouble with sorting names and because I didn't always appreciate the daughter's part of the story. These ara all on me;I will definitely look for more books by the author and narrator. Thank you for sharing your talents! I would have loved to have listened to this book out camping or hiking. There are lots of things to reflect on.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Dry and sad

I wish this story had more action, more events that were less predictable. I would only recommend this to someone with insomnia.

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