47 pages • 1 hour read
Heaven: A Novel
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Book Brief
167
Novel • Fiction
Japan • 1990s
2009
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Set in 1991, Mieko Kawakami’s Heaven revolves around an unnamed middle school boy who is relentlessly bullied due to his lazy eye. He forms a close bond with Kojima, a classmate also tormented by peers. Their friendship forces the protagonist to confront his perceptions of conformity and self-acceptance, leading to profound reflections on suffering and the pursuit of personal beliefs. The novel contains depictions of bullying, violence, and abuse.
Melancholic
Unnerving
Contemplative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
67,135 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami, translated by Sam Bett and David Boyd, has been praised for its poignant exploration of bullying and adolescent suffering. The lyrical prose and deep psychological insights stand out, though some reviewers found its bleak themes overwhelming. Overall, it is considered a powerful, thought-provoking novel with richly developed characters.
Who Should Read Heaven?
Readers who appreciate Heaven by Mieko Kawakami, translated by Sam Bett and David Boyd, are drawn to introspective, character-driven narratives exploring themes of bullying, trauma, and resilience. They may enjoy the emotionally charged prose similar to Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood and Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend.
67,135 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Kojima
Kojima
The protagonist’s only friend who shares the status of being bullied by their classmates. She supports the narrator and challenges him to embrace his differences as an essential part of his identity.
Ninomiya
Ninomiya
The central antagonist and a star student who leads the bullying against the narrator and Kojima. Known for his cunning tactics, he orchestrates torment without fear of consequences.
Momose
Momose
A secondary antagonist and member of Ninomiya’s gang who interacts philosophically with the narrator. He presents a contrasting worldview that challenges the narrator’s beliefs.
167
Novel • Fiction
Japan • 1990s
2009
YA
18+ years
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