Hevun

This book by rising star Kawakami came a year and a half after she won the Akutagawa Prize in 2008. Whereas her other works are intricately woven and challenging to read, her first full-length novel features surprising simplicity and clarity and was hailed as a foray into new literary territory. The story, whose central theme is violent bullying in junior high schools, is told through the eyes of a 14-year-old male student subjected to relentless torment for having a lazy eye. Instead of putting up resistance, the boy chooses to suffer in complete resignation. His single kindred spirit is a female classmate suffering a similar treatment for being “dirty.” Eventually the two are tricked into coming to a park where they are made to suffer torment so appalling as to make readers cringe.

    These raw and realistic portrayals of bullying are counterbalanced with a near-complete presentation of the range of philosophical and religious debates surrounding violence committed against the weak. As well as addressing some of the social problems now facing Japan, Kawakami’s simple yet profound new work stands as a dazzling testament to her literary talent. There can be little doubt that it has cemented her reputation as one of the most important young authors working to expand the boundaries of contemporary Japanese literature. (NM)