Quotes
“An expertly told, deeply unsettling tale of adolescent violence.” Vogue (UK)
“[In] Heaven, everyday dilemmas provide a forum for examining fundamental questions of power and morality.” New Yorker
“Kawakami writes with jagged, visceral beauty about those early antagonists we carry around in our heads, scars we bear into adulthood.” O, The Oprah Magazine
“Kawakami is a writer who doesn’t shy away from hard truths and painful experiences, so Heaven will not be an easy read, but it’s guaranteed to be a rewarding one.” Japan Times
“Raw and vivid…[Kawakami’s] sensitive, evocative storytelling sets her apart as an incredible literary talent.” Booklist (starred review)
“A searing account of bullying and adolescent angst…with keen psychological insight, brilliant sensitivity, and compassionate understanding.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“In a startlingly graceful way…Kawakami manages to pull us further in, illuminating the perils within the social structures we’ve been taught to trust.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Confirms Kawakami’s superb literary ability to expose and disturb…Despite the suffocatingly looming violence, the duo’s intense, forced-to-be-mature inner lives will keep readers mesmerized to the final page.” Shelf Awareness
“Kawakami’s dialogue delves into the definition of power and nature of child friendships. The result is another spine-tinglingly real novel that will weigh heavy on your heart long after its finish.” Osusume Books