The Art of Hearing Heartbeats

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is classified as general fiction. However, the novel delves into several distinct genres. It employs literary conventions typical of romance novels: two beautiful, misunderstood people drop into each other’s lives and surmount challenges to be together; though pursued by other suitors, the couple only desire their star-crossed, chosen one; though slow to consummate, the union itself is described as transcendent. Jan-Philipp Sendker describes Tin and Mi Mi’s union from the latter’s perspective: “For one moment, for the duration of a few heartbeats, every one of the world’s promises was fulfilled, and nothing could contain her” (222).

Readers may also consider the novel to be a fantasy, featuring Tin as a passive superhero of sorts. Long before Julia learns that her father could hear heartbeats, she speaks of his ability to close his eyes, listen to someone’s voice, and understand everything about them. He also had the ability to empower and inspire those around him—as a monk, prep school student, attorney for celebrities, and father. As with a fantasy novel, the protagonist’s special abilities lead to triumph, even in the face of sacrifice: Tin senses Mi Mi’s impending death and returns to Kalaw to die with her.

The novel could also be read as a religious treatise, as it reveals the shortcomings of Burmese civil religion (with its reliance on superstition) and Christianity (with its focus on rote behavior and ritual). While Sendker rarely mentions Buddhism by name, he describes its practices, sanctuaries, and theoretical concepts. In the novel, the insights of Buddhism prevail. Ultimately, the novel contains elements of romance, fantasy, and religion—making “general fiction” a literary compromise.