Remember that feeling of picking up a book expecting a light summer read and getting sucker-punched by something unexpectedly deep? That's exactly what Mieko Kawakami's *Breast and Eggs* did to me. I started excited for a story about female friendships, but then "Heaven," a powerful excerpt, threw me headfirst into the harsh reality of bullying.
Friendship and Fury: A Glimpse Beneath the Surface
"Heaven" isn't your typical high school scene. It's a cafeteria social jungle where the lighthearted exploration of friendships and self-discovery in *Breast and Eggs* takes a backseat. Here, the narrator confronts the sting of vulnerability. Kawakami doesn't hold back, capturing the power dynamics of bullying with the narrator's reflection: "'If we're weak, our weakness has real meaning.'" These words hit hard, a stark reminder of the lasting wounds bullies inflict.
Bullies? Just Regular Kids, Being Awful
The most unsettling part? These bullies aren't like the cartoonish villains in movies. They're just ordinary teenagers, like Momose, the ringleader. Her casual cruelty is even more chilling because it's delivered with a nonchalant shrug: "It's nothing personal." This quote highlights how bullying can become normalized within a group, making it even more insidious.
Finding Solace in the Storm
Thankfully, Kawakami doesn't leave us drowning in negativity. There's a glimmer of hope in the form of an unlikely friendship. The narrator finds solace in Kojima, another ostracized classmate. Their shared experience creates a fragile "heaven," a temporary escape from the cruelty around them. It reminds us of the human spirit's resilience and the importance of finding connection even in the darkest times.
“Because we’re always in pain, we know exactly what it means to hurt somebody else.”
―
Heaven
Heaven" is a powerful reminder of bullying's lasting impact and the need for empathy. It compels us to look beyond the act and understand the complexities behind it. Kawakami's storytelling makes this a must-read for anyone who's ever navigated the tricky waters of adolescence or grappled with the messy side of human interaction.
Ratings
⭐3.5 / ⭐5
