Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Heaven

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.

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plumblossom_'s review against another edition

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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

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diaadiary's review against another edition

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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.

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saoreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

3.5

This is an odd book; as I see it, it brings out perspectives worth reflecting on, but I find it infuriating that no justice was done. Being seen as different should not be a reason to be treated awfully, simply because they wanted to? It was hypocritical at most and selfish at best. They stuck to their own definitions, but it's frustrating to read something that seems to offer insight but provides nothing at the same time.

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