Reviews

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami

bussinbooks's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.75

xalwaysequalsx's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

aishanma's review against another edition

5.0

:(

_sleepng's review against another edition

3.0

3.5☆

ingridjoylyn's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

3.5

amy__harrisl's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

3.5

tollyjohnson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Catharsis is an odd thing. If I could give a name to it, I might call it Heaven. 

Growing up as a cis boy feels almost guarded. A mix of what's said proudly and what's vilified as unspeakable, Mieko Kawakami somehow perfectly captures this confusion. Being bullied, be that verbally or physically, it ostracised me and many other from enjoying many of our teen years. Heaven captures that feeling of anxiety and examines why so many say nothing when being  socially berated. 

I can only focus on this subject from a cis male perspective but I'm sure anyone of any gender understands the desire to say nothing when being actively judged for simply existing. 

Can't wait to read more of her work. Thank you, Meiko. You genius.

jacob_manniche's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

3.5

bivina's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

rura's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

3.0