47 pages 1 hour read

Mieko Kawakami, Transl. Sam Bett, Transl. David Boyd

Heaven: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre
Japanese Literature
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Asian Literature
Themes
Emotions/Behavior: Apathy
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Relationships: Friendship
Period
Asian Literature