lilbobil's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual harassment
extru's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
jijina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Blood, Self harm, Bullying, Sexual violence, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Suicidal thoughts
_kouppi_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
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.
Graphic: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
teriodvarkova88's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Torture, Blood, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
the_last_bookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
literaryjunarin's review against another edition
3.5
I don't particularly appreciate reading about bullying but here I am. This little story is about a 14-year-old boy and his classmate Kojima who are both the target of violent bullies. And when I say violent, it is violent with blood and all the like. It was a difficult read.
The conflicting ideas of the characters were interesting. Kojima believes that all the pain and suffering she's going through has meaning. She continues to behave in a way that draws scorn and bullying because she believes that she will be rewarded in the end, while the narrator is just passive through all that. He doesn't fight back or report them to teachers and just quietly cleans himself up after getting beaten. He contemplates why people bully the weak but can't find the answer. I think the nihilistic views of the bully are not believable though. He doesn't sound fourteen. Don't people their age bully because they think it's cool and do it because they can?
While I loved reading a study of human nature, there's not much to dig into here. It was not as profound as I thought it would be.
And I must say because I can't ignore it, what's with the graphic description of snot and sweat?
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual harassment
natasha_dd_'s review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Ableism, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Self harm
erickauribe's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Spoiler
However, the bullying scenes were a bit too harsh to read, I understand the meaning of these scenes, it was just hard to go throughGraphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Bullying, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, and Violence