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A review by porgyreads
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami
4.75
Mieko kawakami’s writing is lightweight, functional, and breathable - the literary equivalent to gore-tex. She manages to create a fable-esque narrative that is morally complex but so quiet you don’t fully register the allegorical might until the end.
I agree with the Saint. I agree with the villain. I agree with our main character, who is the most literal version of first person. He IS our Eyes. Through him we see ourselves in all our weakness and confusion, the frustration of reason and inaction. When the time comes, we see Kawakami’s intent clearly.
Kojima and her relationship with the main character is almost like a Trojan horse for her full-bodied appearance. She is fascinating and terrifying and encapsulates the wisdom (misplaced or otherwise) of a defiant teenage girl. She is a juggernaut saint intent on getting to heaven. She is a sin-eater. She does not want to be fixed.
Amid the biblical allusions the story still stands, the ending felt inevitable and still shocking. It is is brilliant, especially when contextualised by the sensory descriptions we get especially around smell versus sight. The idea that we could gain isn’t even a consideration (or even a thought) when we surrender to an act of transformation is the most brilliant and beautiful truth.
I would like to read it again just to get a feel for every sentence without the wonder of the unexpected and see how or if my feelings change. Exceeded my expectation.
I agree with the Saint. I agree with the villain. I agree with our main character, who is the most literal version of first person. He IS our Eyes. Through him we see ourselves in all our weakness and confusion, the frustration of reason and inaction. When the time comes, we see Kawakami’s intent clearly.
Kojima and her relationship with the main character is almost like a Trojan horse for her full-bodied appearance. She is fascinating and terrifying and encapsulates the wisdom (misplaced or otherwise) of a defiant teenage girl. She is a juggernaut saint intent on getting to heaven. She is a sin-eater. She does not want to be fixed.
Amid the biblical allusions the story still stands, the ending felt inevitable and still shocking. It is is brilliant, especially when contextualised by the sensory descriptions we get especially around smell versus sight. The idea that we could gain isn’t even a consideration (or even a thought) when we surrender to an act of transformation is the most brilliant and beautiful truth.
I would like to read it again just to get a feel for every sentence without the wonder of the unexpected and see how or if my feelings change. Exceeded my expectation.