The Story of a Heart

Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

Standard price shown. Sign in for personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app

Added to cart

Continue shopping or head to checkout

View cart
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

'The Story of a Heart is the best narrative non-fiction I've read in years. Rachel Clarke has written a profound piece of investigative journalism and wrapped it up in poetry. A story of death - and life, and how one incredible family gifted a miracle to another ' Christie Watson , author of The Language of Kindness
'An extraordinary story, beautifully told ' Adam Kay
' Rachel Clarke's words are brimful of love, grace and kindness - Guardian

Critics Review

Rachel Clarke tells the selfless story of the extended and extraordinary life of this heart, and how it changed organ donation for ever. This unconventional narrative biography fizzes with respectful, indefatigable and eloquent respect for life. Unforgettable
The Times, Books of the Year
Profoundly moving and at the same time wildly inspiring. A beautiful, humane book... Even hearing a sliver of this story would make you hunger to learn every possible detail, and rare is the writer who could pull it together so beautifully
Rob Delaney
The Story of a Heart is the best narrative non-fiction I've read in years. Rachel Clarke has written a profound piece of investigative journalism and wrapped it up in poetry. A story of death - and life, and how one incredible family gifted a miracle to another
Christie Watson
An extraordinary story, beautifully told
Adam Kay
Rachel Clarke [is] a physician who is also an uncommonly good writer... The Story of a Heart is never mawkish. It is instead a clear-eyed act of investigative journalism; Clarke knows her subject and does the legwork too
Prospect
What a book . . . The perfect book
Chris Evans on Virgin Radio
Telling this true story with dramatic pace, medical precision and characteristic warmth, The Story of a Heart is Rachel Clarke's finest book yet
Financial Times
Clarke, the author of the superb Dear Life and the coruscating Covid expose Breathtaking, is the right person to tell the extraordinary story of how one family's grief was transformed into a lifesaving act of generosity. The Story of a Heart is tender and inspiring and displays all Clarke's usual compassion for the dead and why they deserve to be honoured
Independent
Remarkable
Cosmopolitan
The Story of a Heart is beautifully written and utterly vital
iPaper
This is a gripping story of two remarkable families, a remarkable heart and a remarkable organ donor system, faultlessly told
BGJP
This is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL and riveting book: written with such humanity, empathy and knowledge, such tact and drama and eloquence. Vital reading, lifelong revelation
Laura Cumming
Clarke could not have rendered this story more tenderly... this is humane writing
The Times
As tense and nerve-racking as any thriller
Mail on Sunday
A moving account
Daily Mirror
The Story of a Heart makes for a compelling read, peppered with Clarke's often startlingly poetic descriptions and frequent detours into the fascinating history of transplantation
Radio Times
Clarke brilliantly interweaves the tragic story that links the two children with that of the medical staff who looked after Keira in her final hours and those who helped her heart to give Max new life. It is obviously an incredibly emotional piece, but Clarke's ability to balance the children's stories with the medical ones offers some hope in a dark place
Sunday Times
The extraordinary journey of a young girl's heart to a young boy's body is told in an accessible, humane way... There are moments, within this intricate tapestry, where Clarke's evocative, empathetic writing makes you catch your breath
Guardian, Book of the Day
This emotional story explores how one bereaved family helped save the life of another child and looks at the medical advances over the years that made it all possible... 5 stars
Sun
Rachel Clarke takes us deep into the drama, tragedy and triumph behind the modern miracle of a heart transplant. This is a unique and profoundly moving story of life and death
Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction 2024
The subject matter is overwhelmingly emotional, yet Clarke approaches it with the clear-eyed rigour of an investigative journalist - tracking every step, every person, every scientific miracle involved in a heart transplant
Prospect, Books of the Year
This moving book reminds us about the power of human empathy as well as the importance of the NHS
Spectator, Books of the Year

User Reviews

Book 4.8
Narration 4.7
5.0
5.0
Celine Vincent 15/01/2026
5.0
5.0
auroramw 24/12/2025
5.0
5.0
A very moving book, beautifully read by the author.

A heartfelt (no pun intended) look at two lives and the many people who touched their story. I learnt so much about the history of not only heart transplant but also emergency medicine, open heart surgery, and the mechanics of organ transplantation.

Thoroughly recommend.
pheebsell 20/11/2025
4.0
3.0
quinn_bird 24/06/2025
5.0
5.0
Charlie03 12/06/2025
5.0
5.0
CharlieBrook 14/03/2025

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

 

Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.

 

Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.