The Art of Hearing Heartbeats

Jan-Philipp Sendker Press Reviews

We have asked a select number of members and browsers to review The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. You can read their reviews below.

Joan Hill - 'a hauntingly beautiful story set mainly in Burma...Slowly an unforgettable story unfolds – a magical story of love, loss, superstition, perseverance and family obligation...I loved this novel and recommend it wholeheartedly.' Click here to read the full review.

Claudia Stach - 'The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is one of the most moving novels I have ever read, allowing me to live in a distant world and long-gone time...a very special story about love, how love itself can change and also changes people with an unusual setting.' Click here to read the full review.

Richard Hamlin - 'The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is a beautifully written novel that leaves the reader moved and enriched...Sendker immerses the reader into Burmese life; magnifying sights, smells and particularly sounds...to create a landscape and way of life that seems almost tangible.' Click here to read the full review.

Linda Hill - 'The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is an absolute joy to read on so many levels and I cannot recommend it highly enough.' Click here to read the full review.

Stephanie Harding - 'A beautiful , atmospheric , touching read that I thoroughly enjoyed and made me feel that maybe we, in the West, have really got our priorities very much out of kilter.' Click here to read the full review.

Tracey Poulter - 'The story has echoes of ancient folk stories containing some fantastical elements and, although set in modern day, evokes the ancient mysticism of the East. The book appears effortless and is very gentle on the reader yet evokes very powerfully the essence of true love which exists outside the physical world. A haunting read.' Click here to read the full review.

Catherine Larner - 'The narrative is astonishing...I was in tears for much of my reading of this book, yet it is a beautiful and understated story, so sensitively and charmingly written that I would read it again, and will recommend it to all my friends.' Click here to read the full review.

Victoria Halliday - 'There were some terrific aspects of this novel.  I'm a sucker for parallel stories and really enjoyed the contrast between Julia's memories of her father as a successful lawyer in the US and the story U-Ba tells of Tin Win's childhood in Burma.' Click here to read the full review. 

Barbara Goldie - 'It is a story of family, love and loss and is an emotional ride of tragedy and love.  I really recommend this book, a must read for 2013.' Click here to read the full review.

Sallyann Spittle - 'What a wonderful, refreshing book!...The story of Tin Win and his childhood leading into manhood was sincere, heartfelt and truly inspirational.' Click here to read the full review.

Richard Hamlin - 'The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is a beautifully written novel that leaves the reader moved and enriched... Effortlessly told and free from clichés and formulaic plots, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is an uplifting tale that will stay long in the memory of the reader.' Click here to read the full review.

Michelle Gray - 'I initially approached this book with some trepidation as it is not my usual genre of book (having no dragons, wizards or explosions) however from the first page I was completely involved in the story.' Click here to read the full review.

Nikki Clark - 'I found this book very difficult to put down...the incredibly evocative and colourful writing stirred my imagination.' Click here to read the full review.

Magda North - 'A magical literary love story...Vintage Burma forms a perfect backdrop to their relationship...such a vivid and powerful romance.' Click here to read the full review.

Carol Attridge - 'This is such a touching and well written book. Its a love story that's not at all mushy and looks instead to the depths of love' Click here to read the full review.

Mrs C A Tuckett - 'A touching story of love and devotion.' Click here to read the full review.

Sylvia Willingale - 'I found this book interesting and well-written...This explains that unconditional love will overcome many of the difficulties one faces in life, not to judge but to accept and look for the best in everyone.' Click here to read the full review.

Sarah Tilley - 'Beautifully written and the opening pages had me spellbound until the end...the happiness seems to jump off the page and you are also submerged in the zen like feeling of warmth and contentment.' Click here to read the full review.

Sharon Butler - 'I was hooked from the first page and read through almost the first part of the book in one evening. I love the unusual way the writer continually jumps from the present day to the story of years ago.' Click here to read the full review.

Caroline Matthews - 'I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I hoped I would...I liked Julia as a character and found her interesting and engaging.  I also liked the ending.' Click here to read the full review.