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alinas_library's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Ein sehr direkter, schnörkelloser und sachlicher Erzählstil berichtet aus Sicht des 14-jährigen Protagonisten von Mobbing, Gewalt und einer ungewöhnlichen Freundschaft. Fassungslos über die Untätigkeit und das Wegsehen der Erwachsenen, die rohe Gewalt der Mitschüler*innen und das fehlende Mitgefühl lässt mich dieses Buch mit sehr gemischten Gefühlen zurück.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Blood, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
perpetually_isolated_being's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
TW: Bully
Does everything happen for a reason, or do things occur to us simply because we happen to be there to take the blow?
"Heaven" by Mieko Kawakami is a heartbreaking yet insightful book. Through their Socratic dialogue, we see that each character possesses contrasting worldviews, making them diverse and somehow relatable.
The story also made me realize that we understand certain characters in the story because we relate to their philosophies and the way they see the world.
All in all, the story delves into the pain suffered by the weak at the hands of the strong and their attempts to overcome by choosing to suffer in silence rather than to fight back. It also resonates with themes of friendship, acceptance, and perceiving the world in the way we choose to.
Does everything happen for a reason, or do things occur to us simply because we happen to be there to take the blow?
"Heaven" by Mieko Kawakami is a heartbreaking yet insightful book. Through their Socratic dialogue, we see that each character possesses contrasting worldviews, making them diverse and somehow relatable.
The story also made me realize that we understand certain characters in the story because we relate to their philosophies and the way they see the world.
All in all, the story delves into the pain suffered by the weak at the hands of the strong and their attempts to overcome by choosing to suffer in silence rather than to fight back. It also resonates with themes of friendship, acceptance, and perceiving the world in the way we choose to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Bullying
_misha_'s review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Bullying, Blood, and Physical abuse
mimi_jaja's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This gave me flashbacks to reading DNA in school
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Self harm, and Eating disorder
cakrawala's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
i don't even know what to say about this book. it's really disturbing and heartbreaking. the graphic description of bullying made me took a lot of pauses when i read this book. definitely would never read this again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Bullying, and Sexual harassment
cepbreed's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I am so disgusted. I’ve never read such visceral descriptions of bullying, and to that degree, before. I don’t know if this is just my perspective as an American but that can’t be common right? If I knew any Japanese people I would ask. I can’t pretend I fully remember everything that took place because I started this so long ago and only finished reading because I got on a plane with no other books downloaded. But I really see the appeal of Kawakami. UGH I wish I could read and comprehend everything in its original form. I bet there’s so much culturel context and language subtleties I’m not able to pick up on. This was my first foray into Japanese literature and I’ll definitely take other recommendations more seriously from now on.
The true goat was the mom. I was so surprised to see a figure of authority actually be helpful. That was a masterful tonal shift for sure.
I fear whenever I don’t know how to feel I just rate the book a 3.5. It’s an ambiguous sort of like that I can’t put my finger on.
I fear whenever I don’t know how to feel I just rate the book a 3.5. It’s an ambiguous sort of like that I can’t put my finger on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Ableism, Sexual harassment, Bullying, and Physical abuse
llorona's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I would describe this as beautifully raw, painful, dark and melancholy.
Mieko Kawakami’s writing style is simply art. I greatly enjoyed the book despite it truly breaking my heart. I loved this book so much and the absolute tenderness in which the characters are written to life as complex, flawed beings with often conflicting, selfish, broken, HUMAN ideas and identities. It’s incredibly sad and raw and a surprisingly short read. I felt super reflective after reading this book. A great view into a perspective I had never considered.
Mieko Kawakami’s writing style is simply art. I greatly enjoyed the book despite it truly breaking my heart. I loved this book so much and the absolute tenderness in which the characters are written to life as complex, flawed beings with often conflicting, selfish, broken, HUMAN ideas and identities. It’s incredibly sad and raw and a surprisingly short read. I felt super reflective after reading this book. A great view into a perspective I had never considered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Bullying, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
plumblossom_'s review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Physical abuse, Cursing, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
diaadiary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
There is a special kind of power and skill that comes from writing a wonderful, meaningful story in under 150-200 pages. Kawakami has written a masterpiece and I will stand by that opinion forever. While reading this book I felt a kaleidoscope of feelings; this is the kind of book that will take you on a fucking ride.
The writing made my brain twisty and turny. The story begins with a creation of a wholesome and lighthearted friendship, including breezy and simple dialogues of youth that embody innocence. Kawakami makes the beginning so desirable and nostalgic, that you can’t help wanting to stay there forever. At times I did feel bored, but I cannot help appreciating those mundane parts of daily life.
However, amidst the youthful joy, there is an underlying threatening mood. The reader quickly realizes that there is an impending doom on the horizon. Kawakami perfectly displays the complexity of the human condition, all inclusive of its horrors, delights, wants, or needs. She executes this through conversations and monologues. Her characters not only discuss innocent themes of life, but fervently talk about the existential, philosophical, and confusing parts. It was interesting to experience each character’s values on love, loss, guilt etc. These middle schoolers challenged what it means to be hurt/to hurt, how/why people inadvertently hurt their loved ones, and the meaning of death.
Kawakami’s prose is effortless yet profound. The split between carefree living and existential dread was craaaaaazy ok. This book was bittersweet, disturbing, and reflective. Not to be dramatic, but I will proceed to curl up under the covers in the fetal position and stare at the wall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Bullying, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
fairytomie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
This book truly ripped my heart out. This is my introduction to Kawakami’s work and i’m in love with how poetic her writing is.
Justice for these characters and the fact we don’t know what happened to Kojima is so heart-wrenching.
Justice for these characters and the fact we don’t know what happened to Kojima is so heart-wrenching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Bullying, Ableism, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Self harm
Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, and Death