SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE


From the bestselling author of Breasts and Eggs and international literary sensation Mieko Kawakami, a sharp and illuminating novel about the impact of violence and the power of solidarity.


A bold foray into new literary territory, Kawakami's novel is told in the voice of a 14-year-old student subjected to relentless torment for having a lazy eye. Instead of resisting, the boy chooses to suffer in complete resignation. The only person who understands what he is going through is a female classmate who suffers similar treatment at the hands of her tormentors.


These raw and realistic portrayals of bullying are counterbalanced by textured exposition of the philosophical and religious debates concerning violence to which the weak are subjected.


Heaven stands as a dazzling testament to Kawakami's literary talent. There can be little doubt that it has cemented her reputation as one of today's most important young authors working to expand the boundaries of contemporary Japanese literature.


A New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, Oprah Daily, CNN, Bustle, and Ms. Magazine most anticipated book of the year.


A June 2021 Indie Next Pick


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176 pages

Average rating: 7.27

30 RATINGS

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7 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

viridiskore
Oct 04, 2024
6/10 stars
DNF:

the things the main character had to go through made me sick and i couldn't continue (even though that was the whole point).

i read the dutch translation, but i don't recommend it.
fionaian
Sep 30, 2024
6/10 stars
This was a very dark, complicated novella. I don't think we as adults really understand how bullying starts at a young age, as soon as a child enters into a community of their own peers as young as playing in a playground as a toddler. To have the bullying escalate into pure sadism by the time children emerge in their pre-teen years is hard to grasp. This book makes me question about the Buddhist belief of no retaliation when facing pain and hurt from outside forces, to the way the unnamed protagonist reflects on the abuse he suffers at the hands of his classmates.
meoija
May 06, 2024
6/10 stars
love/hate relationship w this book
Thronekails
Mar 22, 2023
8/10 stars
Heartbreaking and beautiful.
Steve Crandall
Feb 16, 2023
7/10 stars
A raw and disturbing book that deals with deep subjects. It’s also beautifully crafted. Kawakami’s writing and the translation are excellent. It stirred feelings of anger and helplessness, but the last few pages were lyrically beautiful. Suicide, graphic bullying and anorexia trigger warnings.

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