The Library of Heartbeats: A sweeping, emotional novel set in Japan by Laura Imai Messina

A POWERFUL, MOVING NOVEL OF GRIEF, HOPE, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE BASED ON A REAL HEARTBEAT ARCHIVE ON AN ISLAND IN JAPAN.

To find what you have lost, you must listen to your heart . . .

On the peaceful Japanese island of Teshima there is a library of heartbeats, a place where the heartbeats of visitors from all around the world are collected. In this small, isolated building, the heartbeats of people who are still alive or have already passed away continue to echo.

Several miles away, in the ancient city of Kamakura, two lonely souls meet: Shuichi, a forty-year-old illustrator, who returns to his home-town to fix up the house of his recently deceased mother, and eight-year-old Kenta, a child who wanders like a shadow around Shuichi's house.

Day by day, the trust between Shuichi and Kenta grows until they discover they share a bond that will tie them together for life. Their journey will lead them to Teshima and to the library of heartbeats . . .

Review

A story about grief and friendship ― Woman's Own

Mesmerising second novel . . . A tale of grief, hope, friendship and love ― Sunday Post

Gorgeous . . . This novel is good for the soul ― iNews

A lyrical tale about a tranquil Japanese island where people go to record their heartbeats ― iPaper

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Manilla Press; 1st edition (4 Jan. 2024)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1786583127

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1786583123

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.5 x 3 x 23.6 cm

Customer reviews: 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars    90 ratings

About the Author

Laura Imai Messina (Author)

Laura Imai Messina was born in Rome and moved to Tokyo at the age of 23. Her international bestselling novel The Phone Box at the Edge of the World was published in 25 countries. Laura teaches at some of the most prestigious Japanese universities, as well as writing for newspapers and working with the Japanese National TV Channel NHK.

Lucy Rand (Translator)

Lucy Rand was shortlisted for the TA First Translation Prize for The Phone Box at the Edge of the World which she translated while living in Japan. She has also translated novels by Italian authors Paolo Milone and Irene Graziosi, and is the editor of the guided audiobook app, Audrey. She now lives in Norwich.