Heaven - Mieko Kawakami, David Boyd

Category: Adults, Literature, Novel
Language: English
Keywords: Asia Asian Literature Coming of Age Contemporary Fiction Japan Japanese Literature Literary Fiction

Written by Mieko Kawakami, David Boyd
Read by Scott Keiji Takeda
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Hailed as a bold foray into new literary territory, Kawakami’s novel is told in the voice of a 14-year-old student who subjected to relentless torment for having a lazy eye. Instead of resisting, the boy chooses to suffer in complete resignation. The only person who understands what he is going through is a female classmate who suffers similar treatment at the hands of her tormentors.

These raw and realistic portrayals of bullying are counterbalanced by textured exposition of the philosophical and religious debates concerning violence to which the weak are subjected.

Kawakami’s simple yet profound new work stands as a dazzling testament to her literary talent. There can be little doubt that it has cemented her reputation as one of the most important young authors working to expand the boundaries of contemporary Japanese literature.