Reviews

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami

xosejules36's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

gabbieaschim's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

okayose's review against another edition

4.0

heartbreaking.

barath_6023's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Bullying

Moderate: Blood, Torture, and Violence

nadja_reads_stuff's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

haco's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

silverronin's review against another edition

3.0

oh boy

lit_laugh_luv's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm in two minds about this one. I enjoyed the commentary about nihilism and strength, and how "Eyes" and Kojima represented such contrasting views of pain and tribulations. Kojima embodies a martyr who believes her suffering has intrinsic meaning, while "Eyes" believes none of their bullying is linked to a greater meaning or purpose. It leads to some poignant reflections on existentialism and loneliness that Japanese literature tends to capture so well. Kawakami does a great job presenting both viewpoints and only really pushes the reader to one conclusion with the ending (which is superb).

Where this faltered for me is the actual storytelling, which doesn't seem to align with the themes. The commentary about these abstract philosophical concepts coming from teenagers just felt noticeably out of place. I'm not sure bullying (especially with such a physical emphasis) was the best catalyst for these discussions - it feels more like there was commentary Kawakami wanted to offer and then the plot constructed around that. The characters didn't feel human, but moreso just vehicles to convey motifs. The adults in the narrative are cloyingly naive and their decisions are wholly unrealistic just to further the conflict (e.g., Eyes' mother oscillating between distant and doting whenever convenient). It led to a real disconnect for me where no character in particular resonated with me.

Kawakami makes the most out of a short page count and offers some very thought-provoking commentary in Heaven. The story is cruel, unfair, and unrelenting but harkens back to nearly everyone's childhood experiences. Despite how relatable the story was and how impactful the themes are, they weren't integrated well-enough for me to give this above three stars.

snoopy_8's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

janiev's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0