This is a quirky book about the nature of hope and love, at just the perfect length for the novelty to stay whimsical rather than start to wear off. I thought it was a really interesting way of storytelling, though I do wish that the metaphors hadn't been quite so spelled out for us, and the conclusions a little less generic (I'm also not sure I quite agreed with the author's view on hope, but I can live with that).
The characters are all interesting and it's a genuinely funny book, making for a delightful couple of hours reading.

This book is rather unique in its literalist framework, chucking subtlety out the door immediately and unforgivingly. However, I was still able to find the main character’s struggles relatable and their journey heartwarming. It’s worth a read for the concept alone.

I really wanted to like this one. It's a fantastic concept and I really loved the metaphorical nature, pun intended, of the entire setup. The author does a fine job reading. And while I was drawn in from the beginning, unfortunately after a while it felt like we were rehashing the same ground from a different perspective... It started to feel repetitive and the puns and metaphors began to comprise the entire story, rather than serve as elements to illustrate specific points in the plot. I was ultimately unable to finish as a result.

There are a lot of great elements here - I just struggled to stay in the story once the novelty wore off. It may be because I found the protagonist difficult to relate to and, after a while, difficult to empathize with. It may be because I'm still not sure I agree with the authors fundamental presentation of the concept of Hope. Regardless, this one wasn't a good fit for me.

An interesting surreal dreamlike story in which the protagonist has his heart removed by an ex lover in an attempt to help him have an epiphany as to the ‘purpose of the man heart’.
A Dali-esque montage of places and scenarios which are pieced together in a haphazard way, as in dream sequences: anything could, and does happen.
I enjoyed the journey to the epiphany.
thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

What a wonderful journey though metaphoria. I finished this book about a day and a half ago and really wanted to reflect on what I’d just read and ruminate. Well my ruminations have led to the conclusion that this is a genuinely funny, reflective and insightful book on the affairs of the human heart. It is cleverly written and the use of literal metaphor and the sumptuous world of metaphoria create an wonderfully immersive reading and listening experience. I have always been a fan of hard-boiled private eye stories of the past, so to have this deliciously clever, exciting book set in a world gone by of private detectives and the case of the missing person was a true treat. But be warned - this is not a throwaway read to consume and put aside. It takes commitment, and genuine interest. Although this was an audio book, take your time and listen, enjoy and really savour it. For before you know it, you will be at the end thinking - that was a bit quick, but just wait let what you’ve read, heard sink in a bit and you will genuinely be left smiling.

A weird, fun, quirky, bizarre, and thoroughly entertaining book. Kaufman's humour disarms the listener, allowing him to tackle what's actually quite a serious subject. After all, who among us hasn't wondered what the purpose of the heart truly is?