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A review by mixingrealitywithfiction
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.0
I'm not sure what to make of this book. On one hand, I'm glad I've read it, and on the other, I feel like it got a bit too much.
This is a contemporary translated fiction where we meet a couple of 14 year old teens who are targets for their fellow classmates to torment on the daily.
Told through the perspective of 14 year old 'Eyes', comes his story. We don't learn his real name, just his target name, given to him by class bullies. The only other person to understand what he's going through is Kojima, his female classmate. I feel like we need more but from Kojima's side, so we can really understand her perspective and what essentially happens with her character as I felt that was left on a bit of a cliffhanger.
This is a hard-hitting read for the most part, so if bullying and mentions of suicidal thoughts trigger you, it's best to stay clear of this book or go into it with caution.
I wasn't sure I could carry on reading after the first few chapters as it reads very graphically. I decided to take it slow and could only manage a few pages to 1 chapter a day. This is one book I certainly won't be revisiting. I need to lie down after this. 😩
This is a contemporary translated fiction where we meet a couple of 14 year old teens who are targets for their fellow classmates to torment on the daily.
Told through the perspective of 14 year old 'Eyes', comes his story. We don't learn his real name, just his target name, given to him by class bullies. The only other person to understand what he's going through is Kojima, his female classmate. I feel like we need more but from Kojima's side, so we can really understand her perspective and what essentially happens with her character as I felt that was left on a bit of a cliffhanger.
This is a hard-hitting read for the most part, so if bullying and mentions of suicidal thoughts trigger you, it's best to stay clear of this book or go into it with caution.
I wasn't sure I could carry on reading after the first few chapters as it reads very graphically. I decided to take it slow and could only manage a few pages to 1 chapter a day. This is one book I certainly won't be revisiting. I need to lie down after this. 😩
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts