The Heartbeat Library

Imai Messina (The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World) takes listeners to the Japanese island of Teshima, home to a unique library that collects recordings of visitors’ heartbeats. The story unfolds in the nearby city of Kamakura, where illustrator Shūichi has returned after his mother’s death. As he navigates his unspooling grief while restoring his mother’s home, he encounters Kenta, an eight-year-old boy whom he finds rummaging through his mother’s garage. Kenta slowly reveals his own sorrows, and the unlikely friends find solace in one another. Later, Shūichi and Kenta embark on a journey to the Heartbeat Archive, where they take meaningful steps toward healing. Imai Messina gently illustrates how the connections between people can lead to joy even after unthinkable loss. Kenichiro Thomson’s introspective narration taps into the novel’s reflective tone, drawing listeners into the characters’ emotions. He ably balances moments of great sorrow with hope and connection, and his deliberate pacing communicates the full weight of the characters’ grief.