A review by rainee_deverell
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

This is the first time I’ve read Mieko Kawakami’s work (translated by Sam Bett and David Boyd) and… wow. It’s been a while since I read prose and an experience of life that was so hauntingly brutal and at the same time realistically portrayed. The minimisation and cognitive dissonance experienced by the main character which allow him to speak about the experiences he has with such … distance is just so realistic. It was amazing to feel so reflected and seen by a book so different to me in so many different ways. I’m grateful for reading this book in a way I haven’t in a while, and I’m  eager to read more of this author and the translation team’s work. Only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that, whilst i think the ending provided resolution for the character I wish it was less sudden. I wish we got to live with his relief in his “heaven” a little longer.