Heaven: Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize

By Mieko Kawakami and David Boyd

Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2022

From the bestselling author of Breasts and Eggs and international literary sensation Mieko Kawakami comes a sharp and illuminating novel about a fourteen-year-old boy subjected to relentless bullying.

In Heaven, a fourteen-year-old boy is tormented for having a lazy eye. Instead of resisting, he chooses to suffer in silence. The only person who understands what he is going through is a female classmate, Kojima, who experiences similar treatment at the hands of her bullies. Providing each other with immeasurable consolation at a time in their lives when they need it most, the two young friends grow closer than ever. But what, ultimately, is the nature of a friendship when your shared bond is terror?

Unflinching yet tender, sharply observed, intimate and multi-layered, this simple yet profound novel stands as yet another dazzling testament to Mieko Kawakami’s uncontainable talent.

TIME's 100 Must-Read Books of the Year
'Mieko Kawakami is a genius' - Naoise Dolan, author of Exciting Times
'An expertly told, deeply unsettling tale of adolescent violence' - Vogue

Translated from the Japanese by Sam Bett and David Boyd.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Jun 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781509898305

Mieko Kawakami

Mieko Kawakami is the author of the internationally bestselling novel Breasts and Eggs, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and one of TIME’s Best 10 Books of 2020, and the highly-acclaimed Heaven, her second novel to be translated and published in English, which Oprah Daily described as written “with jagged, visceral beauty.” Born in Osaka, Japan, Kawakami made her literary debut as a poet in 2006, and in 2007 published her first novella, My Ego, My Teeth, and the World. Known for their poetic qualities, their insights into the female body, and their preoccupation with ethics and modern society, her books have been translated into over twenty languages. Kawakami’s literary awards include the Akutagawa Prize, the Tanizaki Prize, and the Murasaki Shikibu Prize. She lives in Tokyo, Japan.

Reviews for Heaven

[Skye Ruthelle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A 14-year-old boy is horribly bullied on a daily basis by his male classmates. His classmates subjected him to merciless acts for no apparent reasons. He eventually developed a friendship with a girl in his class named Kojima. In due time, the bullies uncovered their friendship and inflicted a dreadful act upon them.

"Heaven" examines the themes of bullying, adolescence, and the longing for acceptance. The novel delves into the complexities of human relationships and the impact of societal pressure on individuals. The book will give you lots of emotion and make you cry, probably. “Heaven” will break your heart for sure. So much emotion caught, but it’s hard to read this book.

Since the first moment I read the book, I got an uncomfortable feeling because the book describes the bullying scene graphic and detailed. You should read the trigger warning first if you want to read “Heaven”. Some parts of the story also have sexual content in it, and it’s pretty disgusting to me. I will never understand why there’s a hint of romance in this book , while the whole ambiance is in tense.

When you read this book, you’ll realize there are other aspects to life that the book discusses. I really love the first half of this book, but I wish the ending could meet my expectations. Please check the content warning before you read “Heaven”. Read reviews to decide if “Heaven” is right for you or not.

[Safira Fauziah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Theres 2 kind of person. One who cherish every thing in life and one who think life is nothing.

Kids can be mean. And also can be so depth.