Heaven

In a Japanese school, we meet a fourteen-year-old boy subjected to relentless torment for having a lazy eye. He chooses to suffer in silence instead of fighting back. 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 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, Heaven stands as yet another dazzling testament to Mieko Kawakami's uncontainable talent. Simple but profound, there can be little doubt that it has cemented her reputation as one of the most important young authors at work today.