A Well-Tempered Heart

A Novel

By: Jan-Philipp Sendker

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

The sequel to the international bestselling novel The Art of Hearing Heartbeats.

Almost ten years have passed since Julia Win came back from Burma, her father's native country. Though she is a successful Manhattan lawyer, her private life is at a crossroads; her boyfriend recently left her, she has suffered a miscarriage, and she is, despite her wealth, unhappy with her professional life. Julia is lost and exhausted.

One day, in the middle of an important business meeting, she hears a stranger's voice in her head that causes her to leave the office without explanation. In the following days, her crisis only deepens. Not only does the female voice refuse to disappear, but it starts to ask questions Julia has been trying to avoid. Why do you live alone? To whom do you feel close? What do you want in life?

Interwoven with Julia's story is that of a Burmese woman named Nu Nu who finds her world turned upside down when Burma goes to war and calls on her two young sons to be child soldiers. This spirited sequel, like The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, explores the most inspiring and passionate terrain: The human heart.

©2014 Jan-Philipp Sendker (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"An absorbing, moving sequel." ( Booklist)

"Sendker [is] a mesmerizing storyteller." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Listen to your heart

We all go through life on particular paths, some of which don't fit as we travel them. This book explores what happens when Julia jumps off, or maybe is pushed off, her regular life. Beautifully written and faithfully translated, the story captures you immediately and subtilely transforms you. If you don't want to change then don't engage with this book. You may find yourself quietly watching both nature and those around you with new interest.

Beautiful story!

Beautiful storyline.
Some places I would have liked more details but it doesn't take away from the story.
The narration was just to softly spoken and slow for me.

Amazing

great story and I really want a third book in the series! The author is a great storyteller

Hauntingly Beautiful!

This is a story of love, truth, and bravery. I was stuck by the honesty of the author’s crafting of words. It was simply mesmerizing and left me wanting more.

What a beautiful story

What made the experience of listening to A Well-Tempered Heart the most enjoyable?

The whole book was well written and performed. I was enthralled, taken right into the lives of the characters. I couldn't stop listening. It was poignant & sad at times, beautiful at others, with a gentle philosophy flowing throughout the book. We are left, in the end, not sure what will happen, but that's ok, life's like that.
I loved this book.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

Understated, calm, natural, very pleasant to listen to

Any additional comments?

I loved it