The Library Of Heartbeats by Laura Imai Messina (Audiobook)

 

When Shuichi returns to his family home following the recent death of his mother he discovers a young boy stealing items from the property. When Shuichi confronts the boy, Kenta, he learns that his mother befriended the boy. As the pair spend time together they begin to realise how their stories are intertwined.

The Phone Box At The Edge Of The World by Laura Imai Messina has been on my wishlist for a while now, so when I spotted The Library Of Heartbeats was available as an audiobook on NetGalley I thought this was an ideal opportunity to discover if this author was for me.

Initially, I found the story a little unusual and difficult to follow. Each chapter of the story has a brief introduction, something that is probably much more obvious in the print edition of the book. Combined with this are the unfamiliar names. Once I'd got my head around the style and the names I was deeply moved by the story within. The story itself is fairly short, with the audiobook being just under 7 hours. I found that by listening to the book over three sessions meant that I became fully immersed in this tale of love and grief.

Shuichi has been reluctant to return to his childhood home. As a child he was diagnosed with a heart condition and his mother was over-protective, something he has resented her for all his adult life. When Shuichi meets Kenta he discovers that his mother, a retired teacher, took him under her wing and helped the lonely child with his schoolwork.

Kenta is struggling at school, particularly with writing kanji (Japanese characters). His parents seem to have little time for him and he's a target for bullies. Shuichi is initially reluctant to get involved, but as they spend more time together the reader learns that their lives are connected by more than just Shuichi's mother.

Behind Shuichi's story is a tale of personal tragedy, one that has caused him to feel immense guilt and simply give up on life. The bond of friendship helps both characters to heal, and Shuichi in particular learns to love, and live, again. A visit to the heartbeat archive on the island of Teshima also brings about a surprising revelation for Shuichi regarding his mother.

The Library Of Heartbeats by Laura Imai Messina will be published on 4th January 2024 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for a review copy.