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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

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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

Repetitive and melodramatic

This book called to mind another popular romantic novel - The Bridges of Madison County. Both of them are over the top as far as unbelievable romanticism is concerned, with the main characters in both taking no responsibility for the betrayal of commitments in their lives. This book never explores why in the world Tin Win - committed as he was to MiMi - married an American woman and fathered 2 children, then abandoned them all. I was not at all moved by Tin Win and MiMi's love story - a lot of teen angst and incredibly repetitive. How many times was it necessary to narrate Tin Win's touching MiMi's body and the ecstasy that engendered in both of them. We know, we know...they're in love. A lot of this book strains belief - is hearing heartbeats (without a stethoscope) really possible??? And in the end, the fact that they, primarily MiMi, were so loved by the locals that on the 15th of EVERY month the townspeople form a procession to their home, bearing offerings, flowers, candles, etc. Oh, and what about the blatant plagiarism of John Denver's song, Shanghai Breezes (The moon and the stars are the same ones you see, etc.)

I did find parts of the book compelling - especially Julia's story - I wish that had been a bigger part of the book. I had to listen until the end just to see what happened. Not a boring book for the most part, but overly romantic and melodramatic.

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44 people found this helpful

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

Beautifully written.

What made the experience of listening to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats the most enjoyable?

I loved Ms.Campbell's voice, the narrator, she was so gentle and smooth. The narrative kept bringing new surprises in the story that kept me engaged, for example: the story not only takes place in the rustic farmlands in Burma but also in the sophisticated life of a manhattan lawyer. I never thought twice about how it would feel to be blind - too foreign to my life experience but this book raised my sensitivity and awareness to these senses which I took so much for granted. This book is an extraordinary love story that surpasses all understanding, a love story that goes against all odds of tremendous strength and takes us back to our basic feelings and instincts as human beings.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tin Ming was my favorite character. Why? because of his courageous spirit, wisdom and his transparent soul of a child.

Have you listened to any of Cassandra Campbell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I never heard Cassandra Campbell's and I very much liked this first experience.

If you could rename The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, what would you call it?

No other way, the title is PERFECT!

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11 people found this helpful

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

The thrill of really loving someone more than oneself was clearly shown in this seeet love story

Such perfect love was a joy to imagine and it offers hope and opportunity to live better and be better! Beautiful!

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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

Exceptional book

Powerful, uplifting & enjoyable. Thought provoking portrayal about the meaning of life, death, love, success and joy. I highly recommend.

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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

A tender tale

An absolutely beautiful love story written by someone who has loved and had been loved.

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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

Nice enough

While I enjoyed the book well enough, I wasn't particularly compelled by it. I will say that this book did come well recommended.

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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

Beautiful story.

This is a beautiful book. So heart warming. So well delivered. Definitely worth your time.

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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

Breathtaking

I was moved beyond measure by this story. I fell in love with each character and somehow empathize with their choices.

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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

Was a sweet story but left me a little saddened.

Beautifully written and well read but the story itself left me with questions about why he did not return sooner and left me wanting a little more.

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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

Loved it!

It's Heart worming and heart breaking at the same time.I want to listen again..and again!

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