_kouppi_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
Middle school was definitely a tough and challenging time for myself, and so it is for the 14-year-old narrator who goes through relentless bullying, including physical abuse, because of his lazy eye. The continuous torment has worn him down to the point where he feels defeated, believing that nothing can change his situation. However, things take a turn when he encounters a classmate, Kojima, who is also a victim of bullying as well. She starts sending him handwritten notes, and he's drawn to her unique writing style and her voice, which reminds him of a 6B pencil – soft and rigid, almost unbreakable. Even though they seldom meet in person, their friendship deepens through their written correspondence. During a summer break visit to an art museum, Kojima introduces him to her favorite painting, which she calls "Heaven." The painting depicts a man and a woman who have found harmony after enduring immense suffering.
Although "Heaven" wasn't my first Kawakami book, its definitely a different one. Set in Japan in the early 1990s, it looks like its going to be a coming-of-age story about two outsiders who find comfort in each other's company. However, they aren't seeking a typical romantic love. Trapped in their suffocating present, they are on a quest for answers to a fundamental question: why do we suffer? The narrator's and Kojima's in-depth conversations to explore this question. Kojima has a well-defined personal philosophy, which she shares through monologues. She believes that everything, even suffering, has meaning and can be transformative. She says that, in the end, we'll reach a place or understanding that wouldn't have been possible without enduring all the pain and hardship. But what do the bullies believe in? In a pivotal and heart-wrenching conversation, the narrator confronts one of his tormentors with this question. The bully, Momose, dismisses the idea, scoffing at the narrator's moral conviction and arguing that he shouldn't be responsible for considering others' feelings.
It's definitely a book focused on human condition. Messy and raw emotions of being a teenager. There's a definite vulnerability and passion in building friendships. The powerful contrast of the two main characters are a not so simple understanding of weakness. It's definitely thought-provoking and at times, gut-wrenching. The brutal encounters of the narrator, making us share in his fear and pain. The horrifying reality of childhood bullying is exposed to the maximum in this book. The meaning and understanding of pain is just incredible.
Although "Heaven" wasn't my first Kawakami book, its definitely a different one. Set in Japan in the early 1990s, it looks like its going to be a coming-of-age story about two outsiders who find comfort in each other's company. However, they aren't seeking a typical romantic love. Trapped in their suffocating present, they are on a quest for answers to a fundamental question: why do we suffer? The narrator's and Kojima's in-depth conversations to explore this question. Kojima has a well-defined personal philosophy, which she shares through monologues. She believes that everything, even suffering, has meaning and can be transformative. She says that, in the end, we'll reach a place or understanding that wouldn't have been possible without enduring all the pain and hardship. But what do the bullies believe in? In a pivotal and heart-wrenching conversation, the narrator confronts one of his tormentors with this question. The bully, Momose, dismisses the idea, scoffing at the narrator's moral conviction and arguing that he shouldn't be responsible for considering others' feelings.
It's definitely a book focused on human condition. Messy and raw emotions of being a teenager. There's a definite vulnerability and passion in building friendships. The powerful contrast of the two main characters are a not so simple understanding of weakness. It's definitely thought-provoking and at times, gut-wrenching. The brutal encounters of the narrator, making us share in his fear and pain. The horrifying reality of childhood bullying is exposed to the maximum in this book. The meaning and understanding of pain is just incredible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
teriodvarkova88's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Blood, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Violence
the_last_bookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
kangaci's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Minor: Eating disorder
kkryrak's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Death, Cursing, Violence, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
cecilialau_'s review against another edition
3.5
Hmm. - I know that’s not a good sign to start that way, but I feel sort of conflicted (not that reviewing sth is that big a deal, I just want to do it justice if that makes sense). I had been looking forward to reading this while knowing that it had been described as a tough read. To say the least, imo. There’s a sort of nonchalant, reasoning/rationale to the writing. A detachment if you will. And it’s written in first person which says a lot about how this boy is attempting to distance himself from what is happening to him but also how his emotional state has been neglected and damaged by everything that has happened to him. There is no real “connection” to other ppl until he meets Kojima (which is what made me want to continue reading).
It’s important to be prepared as a reader for the disturbing bullying (violence) that is happening - especially bc of the way that is is endless and speaks volumes on neglect in general.
It’s important to be prepared as a reader for the disturbing bullying (violence) that is happening - especially bc of the way that is is endless and speaks volumes on neglect in general.
Spoiler
when he speaks to Momose and his pov is that “nothing matters” and that he doesn’t care when it is “unrelated” to him is so heartbreakingly true in the sense that some ppl are just not able to emotionally and empathetically understand that words and actions have consequences. That we can never see eye to eye with everyone even when it comes to things that are incredibly reasonable to some of us that you don’t treat others as they do in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Bullying
Moderate: Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Grief, Self harm, Body shaming, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
timedothwasteme's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Bullying, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide
laurenboisset's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
this is one of the most disturbing books i’ve ever read and yet i feel weirdly seen by it - my sad teenage self (not that my pain was directly 100% comparable to the protagonist’s) is looking out from the me of today and is kind of relieved that someone understands
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Bullying, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
o3ovin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The strength of this novel lies in its character’s interpersonal relationships or lack thereof. Humanity seeps through every page, even when the novel makes you question if that’s a good or bad thing.
This is an amazing quick read that manages the careful balance of asking questions about life, death, and morality while being told through the perspective of a child believably. I would highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking it up as it does get incredibly heavy at some points. I will definitely be reading more by Mieko Kawakami.
This is an amazing quick read that manages the careful balance of asking questions about life, death, and morality while being told through the perspective of a child believably. I would highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking it up as it does get incredibly heavy at some points. I will definitely be reading more by Mieko Kawakami.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, Bullying, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Ableism, Cursing, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent and Classism
mangonana's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse