From the ginkgo-lined streets of Chia-hsing to the bustling avenues of Shanghai and the crowded cage homes of Hong Kong, Chan Ming-chuan's life spans seven decades of upheaval, war, and exile. Orphaned as a child, he discovers friendship, guidance, and a sense of family through unlikely mentors-an American teacher, a Buddhist scholar, and refugee bakers-who help him navigate a world in turmoil. Amid political purges, the Siege of Shanghai, and the horrors of the Rape of Nanking, Ming-chuan endures devastating loss, including the death of his beloved wife, Hui-lan. Through art, courage, and acts of mercy, he learns to carry grief alongside resilience, finding strength in memory and the bonds of chosen family. Finally, in Hong Kong, Ming-chuan reconciles past and present, discovers long-lost kin, and receives a spiritual sign of forgiveness. A sweeping historical epic, Refugee of the Heart is a testament to the human spirit, love, and the enduring quest for home.