Scan barcode
serinas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Heaven definitely tackles heavy themes that are important to write about, and it was part of the reason why I chose Heaven. I'd recommend to check the TW if you are sensitive to some topics regarding bullying, violence and suicide.
The review
I rated it 3 stars. This was honestly a hard book to rate, as I didn't enjoy it. I don't know if the meaning got lost in the translation, or if I just missed the memo.
I couldn't connect with the characters at all, and I didn't really connect with the way the story was told. I didn't find Heaven that meaningful and deep? Many of the observations and things the MC did was surface level, even when he confronted the bullies. There are definitely allegories, metaphors, and a poetic touch to the writing style, but I still found it very basic. That might just be me, as I had high expectations - and that might be why this was a miss for me.
I always expected the tide to turn, but it never did. Nothing changed throughout the book, not until the end. I'm just left disappointed, which is a shame, as I was super excited about reading Heaven.
The tension that was in the beginning supsided pretty quickly, but I still held on to hope that it might get good again. It didn't, in my opinion. At some point it got weird, the
The trauma bond was something I thought would be explored in more depth as well, as there was much potential there. This bond had an abrupt ending, and it made sense story-wise, but much of the plot and character development was lost when
The ending was fitting, as I interpreted it as
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual harassment
moongelli's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
near-dnf but completed since it was a short read, i saw it to the end.
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Medical content, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Vomit, and Gaslighting
rachellen's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I really liked this story and the first person perspective that wasn’t too informal.
I was sad that Kojima never took the lead to heaven! (I also only now realise that the lead’s name is never provided, only what his bullies call him, which feels pretty representative of how he feels invisible in the world). Though, this could have been entirely metaphorical and something not fated for their relationship. If the lead followed Kojima directly in her self-destructive rebellions to her bullies and mother/step-father, which to me read sadly as self-harm fuelled by a desire to have some control in her life after her family and bullying situations, he may have truly followed her to heaven but only in death. He contemplates suicide rather seriously, discussing suicidality and suicidal ideation. Both are in tragic situations, but the lead’s decision to discuss his eyes led to their separation, because he wasn’t following Kojima anymore. He often just says yes I understand, without understanding, but not knowing how to express that. I think this was right, to separate, but it was heartbreaking. I wonder whether Kojima receives help.
The relationship between Kojima and the lead narrator is interesting to me, because whilst they found solace in one another’s company I did find that it was under Kojima’s perspective of what terms their relationship required to flourish. I found it really sad that Kojima failed to understand that the lead’s opportunity to receive a medical procedure to improve his eye condition was about his quality of life, to see the word, not metaphorically but in actuality, as everyone else did. It was not just about aesthetics. The lead never looks in the mirror, this saddened me. He frequently mentions how he injures himself due to double vision, his pains, how it affects him. This reminds us of the character’s ages, as though the lead is often remarkably wise or realistic, they both are only children and are attempting to navigate very difficult situations and lives.
It was clear to me that the lead wouldn’t intend to change or ‘become a sheep’ after surgery after his bully tells him that he wasn’t bullied for his eyes, but because he happened to be in their sight. It was apparently just bad luck (which was a horrible gaslighting monologue to read but showed how the bullies did not even care to give a reason nor explanation outside of philosophical drivel that made them feel intelligent to harm weak people in a survival of the fittest sense, which is laughable considering it was 1v5?). It made me sad for Kojima, because she isolated herself from her only friend when he never intended on leaving her. I felt the lead had love for her. Even without his eye condition, he knew he would get bullied or be isolated socially anyway and remain the same as her.
The relationship I truly favoured was that of the lead and his step-mother. They have no blood relation, but do marital, and at first it seems they are rather cold with one another but then you grow to realise that they are actually just remarkably comfortable and similar to one another. When the mother gets hurt, quite badly, she noticeably plays it down and wishes to suffer alone, telling the lead to not tell his dad or accompany her to the hospital. She even laughs during the ordeal, and the lead has to clean the blood up once more. She only accepts company in her suffering when the lead offers to come with her to her sister’s funeral as the father wasn’t going. I couldn’t help but think that the lead learnt a sense of amiability or desire to suffer in silence from the mother and the very absent father. I was happy at her response about the bullying, as the bullies had made him believe he would be fucked to tell anyone, but he was not. In many ways, though dreadful, the climax of the story meant he could not hide what was happening to him anymore. He was forced into daylight. The character feels so very real. I suppose he is existent in many people’s lives.
I really could go on and on, I just found it to be such an interesting read. I recommend ‘Heaven’, as I do any Mieko Kawakami work!
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Blood, Vomit, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
nooni56's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Blood
pipe_dream's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
ulyazmh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Blood
ts_anne13's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Blood
Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual content
luciebonk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Classism
alissa_lopez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abandonment
This book is chiefly about bullying and may be triggering for those who have experienced bullying - particularly bullying that is rooted in ableism.cute_emo_bookboy's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual content