47 pages • 1 hour read
Mieko Kawakami, Transl. Sam Bett, Transl. David BoydHeaven: A Novel
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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.