A Change of Heart: A Memoir

by Claire Sylvia, William Novak, Bernie S. Siegel (Contributor)

After a heart and lung transplant operation, dancer Claire Sylvia discovered that new organs were not the only thing she inherited. Never having liked such foods as beer and chicken nuggets, she suddenly started craving them. After an extraordinary dream, she seeks out the family of her donor -- a teenaged boy who died in a motorcycle accident -- and learns that it is indeed possible for two souls to merge in one body.

"This is a story that must be told and heard...a fascinating example of how cellular memory can outlive physical death". -- Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Medical, Biography, Science, Biography Memoir, Medicine

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible story that I loved. I gave the book to Priscilla but must read it again sometime.

[Ashley Kimler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first picked this book up about 18 years ago (wow... is that right? yep -- it is). It was sitting on my mom's bookshelf and it sort of spoke to me, so I picked it up and started thumbing through the pages. In less than 24 hours, I was had finished. I can see how some of Claire Sylvia's experience might be seen as mere coincidences to people who think in black and white terms. But, this is the book that really opened my eyes to what might be; this story made me fall in love with reading. While the memoir is very unique, it could be a book that opens your mind to many of life's mysteries.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Change of Heart is the story of Claire Sylvia who received a heart-lung transplant. She talks about her experiences leading up to the transplant and after the transplant. The most interesting concept which she discusses is that of cellular memory. This is memory transferred by organs to the recipients in organ transplants and certainly seemed to be the case in Claire's transplant. When she met her donor's family she was amazed to learn that he loved green peppers which she had developed a new attraction to, and that he also loved chicken nuggets which she had also become enamored of after her transplant although she had never cared for either of these foods before. She also discusses various dreams which she had and characteristics of her donor which matched new emotions and feelings which she developed after she had received the new heart.
I noticed this book on my shelf after I read Jodi Picoult's book Change of Heart and decided truth would be an interesting contrast to the fiction. The take home for all of us is BE AN ORGAN DONOR!!!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of the book - the author's life prior to surgery - didn't make for particularly compelling reading, but she's an interesting enough person in her own right that it was readable. The cellular memory aspects are worth waiting for - several recipients' stories of taking on attributes of the donor were impossible for me to discount, although I place more of a scientific emphasis on that myself, than the donor's spirit staying behind. Claire's dreams feature in the story, a new agey angle that has never really interested me, but perhaps she's more "in tune" (psychic, if you will) than the average person.
I was left, however, with the lingering impression that she's a somewhat "unreliable" narrator, or at least not all that self-aware. As one example, the sisters of her donor eventually end their communication with her claiming "You're just interested in us as sources of details about Tim!" Though I doubt Claire lead them on deliberately, I'd come to that conclusion about that relationship myself. She has a falling out with her transplant caseworker; I suspect that woman likely thinks of Claire as "pushy", "self-important", etc.
Still, I'm glad I read the book, and would encourage others to to do as well - it's a valuable part of the cellular memory discussion.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the memoir of a woman who received a heart-lung transplant. It relates changes that occurred in her that she believed to be attributes of the person whose organs she received. She later met the donor's family and found many of her impressions of the donor to be true. Also includes anecdotes relating to other transplant recipients that are of a similar vein.

There is a lot New Agey-ness to the author and her book. I am interested in learning more about the effect of transplants on the whole being sans the New Age stuff. It's hard to get a feel from this book whether what's communicate are simply the author's New Age projections and beliefs or more objectively what happens to transplant recipients from the mind-body-soul perspective.

[Cassandra Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something I read more than a decade ago, back when I was 11? :)
It's a memoir about Claire Sylvia's heart transplant--how it affected and changed her life, and how it changed the lives of people around her. Having been transplanted a heart of a man, and being a woman herself, how do you think it went?

It's an emotional, gripping account of a reality that many of us know nothing about. Beautiful book, great read.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a lady who gets a heart and lung transplant and starts to like some of things her donar likes that she can't explain. It makes you think about whether or not this kind of thing could really happen. And, the importance of donating your organs for others who may need them.

[Veronica-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating glimpse into the life of a heart and lung transplant recipient. With very real and sometimes shocking and graphic descriptions of not only the process of what happens when body parts are received and taken, but also a deep and truthful journey into the life and lives of those rare individuals who also must endure the aftermath of such a procedure. A very difficult and painful recovery of both the body and spirit is described in detail. However, only a very small insight is gleaned by the reader, bearing in mind that it is only in going through this experience from a personal and subjective viewpoint that one can truly understand with any real depth, of the challenges that present to the individual and the families going through these heartrending operations. Therefore, and for these reasons this unique guide is offered through the words and memories of a courageous and incredibly strong lady within the pages of this book. Highly recommended.
Postscript: Claire Sylvia lived for 21 years after her heart and lung transplant and died 19th August 2009 at the age of 69.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Sylvia had heart trouble her entire life. One of her loves was dancing. Eventually she became too weak to dance. She became and invalid who was dying. Her name was placed on the transplant list. She received the heat and lungs of an 18 year old young man who was killed in a motorcycle accident. She soon began to notice subtle changes within herself. It was almost as if another person was present. She noticed changes in her attitudes, food preferences, habits and behaviors. She had a dream in which she met a young man named Tim L. Claire was convinced that Tim was her donor. She proceeded to determine if the new personality within her came from Tim L.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
An exciting and heartbreaking memoir that both utilizes and challenges current known science. I was pulled in by the intelligent yet casual way of writing and stayed for the attachment I grew to Claire. I was crushed to learn she passed over 15 years ago, though not surprised, because she feels like someone that would have really listened to my own health concerns especially for the future. But it’s also a beautiful and fateful thing I think that I and other people can still read her words from decades ago now, and feel touched by her sense of optimistic spirituality.

[Jessica Whittemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. I am currently rehearsing a play about a heart transplant recipient, donor, and the donor's family (The Tin Woman by Sean Grennan) and read this to research. I have never explored the mind-body-spirit connection other than my own feelings and experiences. This was a riveting (if sometimes hokey) first foray into reading about that. I was gratified to read about how being a dancer/artist makes one more connected/open to the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was a very interesting book, it could have been edited in a few spots to make it more to the point. The info was really interesting and I’m had humanized the whole transplant process for someone Iike me whose never met someone with one. I am now more equipped to be sensitive to transplant patients if I ever meet one! The last chapters with all the stories was SO fun to read. I need to find a book of short stories like that chapter.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first heart-lung transplant in New England, Claire Sylvia shares her journey to survival and the changes she experience following this life-saving surgery. While the author's story is interesting, it was difficult to read through the exhaustive details related to doctors and others she consulted with. I appreciate that it's her story, but I found myself skipping whole sections because it was too much.

[soori · Rating 4 out of 5]

first read of 2026!!

so interesting to see how a heart transplant can change so much. i’m so interested in the spirituality of this too and seeing how much it affected claire and everyone around her too was so interesting to read. Also loved the last chapter where it showed multiple professional takes on her transplant! Extremely eye opening
Defos would recommend

[Merryll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure about this book to begin with but the more I read, together with the research provided by the author I have now become more interested in this subject than I ever was before. I have been an organ donor for many years and will always support this movement even with all of this information.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! It was a quick read for me. Really makes you think about life after death and just how does Claire’s tastes and sensations change after receiving a new heart and lungs.
I really truly think of the heart differently now.

[Jillian Wentworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking read. Claire’s story opened up a whole new curiosity cellular memory.
I’m a huge lover of listening to dreams, but in this boom I did feel that reading every single one of her dreams was overkill & often unnecessary to her main message and story. Overall, great read.

[Tankesultan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a very interesting and well written book.

[Sandy Shaposky · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story. A page turner. Hard to imagine having your heart transplanted, and then living - for a long time after - to tell the world about the experience.

[Wanda Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating memoir by a woman who had a heart and lung transplant. Interesting what she went through, the surprises and changes that the surgery brought to her life.

[Lulu Cares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I could not put this down. What a interesting phenomenon.
Thank you, Claire Sylvia

[Barbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm

[Vincent Radulović · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read

[Staci Pauly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris’ book club pick. Interesting but I couldn’t get into the spirit stuff or all the boyfriends.

[Paolo Di Landro · Rating 3 out of 5]

crazy if it’s all true

[Marni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir written by a woman who received a heart-lung transplant in 1988 was really interesting.

[Allison Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my mom’s all time favorite books and she had said she found it at the dollar store in 1998. I definitely was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did! Such a cool read!

[Cindy Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned alot about transplants.

[Donna LaValley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading this book because I gave it only 3 stars. The story about the changes Claire Silvia noticed after her heart-lung transplant interested me immediately after reading the story in magazines years ago. Since then I’d looked forward to reading the book. However, the writing style disappointed me. You know that style where the last half of the paragraph is a series of questions? And those questions have been asked before? Maybe the words will be slightly different, but you know those same questions will be asked again? Doesn’t that annoy you? If they needed to pad for the book’s length, couldn’t they have found a better way?

A movie was made of Claire’s story, but I didn’t see it. Comments, anyone?

The central issue is that the donor’s organs changed her life in scientifically unexplainable ways. She craved foods she hadn’t liked before; walked differently, etc. Her new traits and preferences were discovered to have been those of the donor. She had dreams which explained the phenomena. She lived bravely and did important work for others, including helping with research on this and related topics. I especially liked the last chapter, which includes possible explanations from experts in several fields.

People who are interested in dream analysis, life beyond death, and the importance of organ donation would especially like this book. Newer information on the heart’s unique cells and functions, cellular memory, etc., have been published since this book became popular.

[Karyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Sylvia is a woman who's always had to be careful with her health, having had a heart murmur for much of her life. When she is finally diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension, she realizes that eventually the only way to stay alive will be to receive a heart and lung transplant. Finally she receives the new organs, but now she's craving beer and chicken nuggets, foods she had never really enjoyed before, and she feels some changes in her personality. It's also wonderful to see how strong she became after the operation, with so much energy and vitality.

It's true that Sylvia does devolve into some New Age mysticism, with her focus on dreams and feeling as though the donor is now a part of her personality. I don't discount her experience at all, but it's not something I hold much credence with. I do believe there are some things out there that science can't explain, however.

She does posit the theory that because she's a dancer, very much in tune with herself and her body, she was more receptive than most people to these feelings of having to integrate another person/soul/personality with her own once she received her donor's lungs and heart, and because she was able to do this emotional work of integration, she has had a very easy time of it since the transplant. She never experienced rejection symptoms and instead felt at her healthiest.

I just Googled her and found she passed away in August of 2009. But I'm so glad she had 21 healthy years after her transplant.