by Mieko Kawakami
Published 2021
"A raw, tender portrait of adolescent misery, reminiscent of Elena Ferrante's fiction." — NPR From the bestselling author of Breasts and Eggs, a sharp and illuminating novel about the impact of violence and the power of solidarity. Tormented by his peers because of his lazy eye, Kawakami's protagonist suffers in silence. His only respite comes thanks to his friendship with a girl who is also the victim of relentless teasing. But what is the nature of a friendship if your shared bond is terror? Unflinching yet tender, intimate and multi-layered, Heaven is yet another dazzling testament to Kawakami's uncontainable talent. "An argument in favor of meaning, of beauty, of life." — The New York Times Book Review "If you enjoyed Mieko Kawakami's brilliant Breasts and Eggs, you're certain to be astonished by her latest novel exploring violence and bullying with fierce, feminist and damning candor." — Ms. Magazine "This is the real magic of Heaven, which shows us how to think about morality as an ongoing, dramatic activity. It can be maddening and ruinous and isolating. But it can also be shared, enlivened . . . and momentarily redeemed through unheroic acts of solidarity." — The New Yorker "Quietly devastating." — TIME Magazine "Keen psychological insight, brilliant sensitivity, and compassionate understanding." — Publishers Weekly, starred review "Raw and eloquent. . . . An unexpected classic." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review "An incredible literary talent." — Booklist, starred review "Kawakami writes with jagged, visceral beauty." — Oprah Daily "Kawakami never lets us settle comfortably, which is a testament to her storytelling power." — Los Angeles Review of Books "One of Japan's brightest stars." — Japan Times
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Crisp
“The delicate, almost fragile tone and melancholic presence perfectly capture the protagonist's silent suffering and introspective nature.”
Us Southern · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“His soft, masculine voice and measured pacing are ideal for conveying the intimate, first-person narrative and quiet observance of the world.”
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“This voice offers a calm, low-register delivery with seriousness and a lack of dramatic inflection, reflecting the character's internal turmoil and measured perspective.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Social-Media · Narration · Deep · Low · +15 more
“With an intimate and serious emotional depth, this voice can portray the nuanced inner struggle and contemplative spirit of the protagonist.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Calm · Professional · +3 more
“A warm, calm tone and deeply measured delivery lend themselves well to the serious, gentle, and reflective narrative style required.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
The protagonist's sole friend, also a victim of relentless teasing. Her voice should reflect vulnerability but also a nascent strength and resilience in their shared struggle.
Female · Middle-Aged · Social-Media · Conversational · Character-Voice · Low · +58 more
“The inherent softness and breathy texture of this voice directly evoke Kojima's gentle vulnerability and intimate nature.”
Female · Young · Conversational · Character-Voice · Social-Media · Educational · +47 more
“This youthful, conversational voice would highlight her age and the casual intimacy of her friendship with the protagonist, while hinting at underlying earnestness.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Entertainment · Low · Educational · +56 more
“Portrays a gentle yet grounded presence, allowing her conversational style to reveal vulnerability and an evolving inner resolve.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Character-Voice · Dramatic · Expressive · Mysterious · +56 more
“Her expressive and dramatic range can convey the nascent strength and emotional depth required for Kojima ’s character arc.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +58 more
“A voice with a clear, expressive conversational style lends itself to a character who, despite being vulnerable, possesses a quiet, serious resilience.”
The primary tormentor, aggressive and calculating, who inflicts much of the protagonist's suffering. His voice should be harsh, dominant, and sneering.
Male · Middle-Aged · Deep · Low · Medium · High · +58 more
“This voice embodies sinister dramatic flair with a deep, raspy texture, perfectly fitting the aggressive, dominant, and cruel tormentor.”
Female · Male · Young · Middle-Aged · Old · Character-Voice · +11 more
“Offers a commanding and intense presence with a raspy tone, ideal for portraying Ninomiya ’s harsh and calculating demeanor.”
Indian · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Intense
“His intense delivery and deliberate pacing underscore Ninomiya's calculating aggression, building tension with every word.”
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Formal
“A youthful yet rugged and gritty voice provides the intense, dominant energy suited for a primary school tormentor.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Energetic · Authoritative · Confident · +3 more
“The powerful, commanding energy of this voice can translate into a sneering, theatrical dominance that perfectly fits the lead bully.”
A follower of the lead bully, contributing to the torment with a less dominant but equally cruel and mocking presence.
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“A gritty, raw, and engaging texture makes this young male voice perfect for Mon-chan's intense yet conversational mocking presence.”
British · Middle Aged · Male · Characters Animation · Confident
“This gritty and cheeky character voice is suited for the conversational cruelty and less dominant, but equally dark, presence of Mon-chan.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Raspy · Serious · +3 more
“His serious, mysterious tone with a subtle rasp and measured delivery provides a chilling undercurrent for Mon-chan's calculating and cruel follower nature.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +57 more
“The conversational delivery and versatile character-voice potential allow for a portrayal of casual cruelty, fitting a less dominant but mean-spirited bully.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Serious
“A deep, smooth tone coupled with a dramatic presence can subtly convey the dark intensity and mocking quality, making his conversational exchanges unsettling.”