Book Review: ‘Heaven’ by Mieko Kawakami

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Updated 21 August 2024
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Book Review: ‘Heaven’ by Mieko Kawakami

Anyone who has experienced loneliness or bullying, especially as a child, will find “Heaven,” by Mieko Kawakami, deeply affecting and possibly disturbing.

The book is graphic in its dealing with bullying and discrimination, which may be triggering for some. It follows a 14-year-old protagonist with a lazy eye who is relentlessly teased and subjected to severe physical harm.

Isolated, with no friends, an absent father and a distant stepmother, he reflects on his life until a classmate begins sending him anonymous notes saying, “We should be friends.”

At first he suspects that it’s simply another humiliating prank, but when he receives a letter asking to meet after school, he learns that the sender is Kojima, who is also a victim of bullying.

Their bond grows through their letters and, during summer break, Kojima takes him to a museum to see a painting she calls “Heaven,” which depicts a woman finding peace after suffering.

Meanwhile, the leader of the bullies continues to influence his group to torment their classmate, resulting in disturbing scenes of him being forced to eat chalk, being shoved into a locker for long periods, and cruelly made to wear a basketball over his head. The middle schooler has endured this for so long that he has resigned himself to these humiliations, telling neither the school nor his parents.

However, bullying is not the novel’s primary focus. Instead, it examines the complexities of adolescence through the lens of bullying and isolation. The protagonist, who had accepted his fate, begins to question the nature of consequences and who gets to face them. He observes his bullies escaping punishment while he, despite minding his own business, is often mistreated. This leads him on an internal moral journey that delves into human relationships, friendship and the meaning of power.

Kawakami’s prose is both lyrical and stark, capturing the narrator’s emotional turmoil. The boy’s internal struggles are depicted with sensitivity, conveying the weight of loneliness and the psychological effects of bullying. The narrative alternates between bleak moments and fleeting glimpses of hope, offering a dynamic reading experience.

The novel is a haunting reminder of the effects of bullying and the profound need for human connection. Through her empathetic storytelling, Kawakami encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and the importance of kindness in a world often overshadowed by cruelty.


Book Review: ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer

Updated 04 June 2025
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Book Review: ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer

“The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer, which was published in 2014, discusses the cultural differences between people and how they influence business interactions.

American author and professor at INSEAD Business School, Meyer talks from personal experience about fundamental points to pay attention to while having interactions with international business owners, peers, or clients.

She uncovers the meaning behind certain behaviors and suggests solutions to overcome the differences between people to accomplish shared goals.

As a cross-cultural management expert, Meyer discusses the elements that contribute to people’s communication and collaboration, including evaluation, persuasion, leadership, decision-making, and trust.

Using practical examples, she explains how misunderstandings sometimes happen when people interpret attitudes using their own lens, which may not be appropriate when relying on personal background and general understanding of the world.

She writes about people appreciating and focusing on what they find meaningful to them. Some cultures value direct feedback, while others tend to lean toward indirect communication when asked to give an opinion.

In addition, the author provides strategies to overcome differences and find common ground, focusing on the importance of learning and understanding cultural norms, and also being adaptable when an individual becomes part of an international team.

She also encourages readers to understand and respect other traditions to build effective relationships with the world around us.

“The Culture Map” is a guide for people who may be working in multicultural environments and want to elevate teamwork while improving intercultural skills.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Importance of Being Educable’ by Leslie Valiant

Updated 04 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Importance of Being Educable’ by Leslie Valiant

We are at a crossroads in history. If we hope to share our planet successfully with one another and the AI systems we are creating, we must reflect on who we are, how we got here, and where we are heading.

“The Importance of Being Educable” puts forward a provocative new exploration of the extraordinary facility of humans to absorb and apply knowledge.

The remarkable “educability” of the human brain can be understood as an information processing ability.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’

Updated 03 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’

Authors: Tom S. Clark, Adam N. Glynn, & Michael Leo Owens 

Police shootings in America spark outrage and protest and raise questions about police use of lethal force. Yet despite the attention given to high-profile shootings, it is extremely difficult to draw wider conclusions about the frequency and outcomes of police gunfire because there is no systematic and centralized source of information on these incidents.

This pioneering book draws on original data, compiled by the authors, to examine police shootings, both fatal and non-fatal, in hundreds of American cities. 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change’

Updated 02 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change’

Author: Richard V. Fisher

“Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change” explores the science and mystery of volcanoes. The author chronicles not only their geologic behavior but also their profound effect on human life.

The book covers the surprisingly large variety of volcanoes, the subtle to conspicuous signs preceding their eruptions, and their far-reaching atmospheric consequences, according to a review on goodreads.com.

Tourists will find their scientific curiosity whetted by this informative and entertaining book.


What We Are Reading Today: Myanmar’s Enemy Within by Francis Wade

Updated 01 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: Myanmar’s Enemy Within by Francis Wade

In 2012, violence between Buddhists and Muslims erupted in western Myanmar, pointing to a growing divide between religious communities that before had received little attention from the outside world.

In this gripping and deeply reported account, Francis Wade explores how the manipulation of identities by an anxious ruling elite has laid the foundations for mass violence, and how, in Myanmar’s case, some of the most respected voices for democracy have turned on the minorities at a time when the majority of citizens are beginning to experience freedoms unseen for half a century.