The Story of a Heart

WINNER OF THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2025

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024
BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE SPECTATOR, NEW STATESMAN, NEW SCIENTIST, AND PROSPECT

‘What a book . . . The perfect book’ Chris Evans on Virgin Radio

‘Profoundly moving and at the same time wildly inspiring’ Rob Delaney

‘Rachel Clarke’s finest book yet’ Financial Times

‘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’ Christie Watson

‘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

This is the unforgettable story of how one family’s grief transformed into a lifesaving gift. With tremendous compassion and clarity, Dr Rachel Clarke relates the urgent journey of a young girl’s heart and explores a history of remarkable medical innovations , stretching back over a century and involving the knowledge and dedication not just of surgeons but of countless physicians, immunologists, nurses and scientists.

FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER DEAR LIFE AND BREATHTAKING, A MAJOR TV DRAMA