Haruki Murakami’s South of the Border, West of the Sun was a much more palpable read compared to Sputnik Sweetheart and The Wild Sheep Chase. While the latter two had bizarre storylines which included metaphysical happenings, South of the Border, West of the Sun is much more down to earth, with a storyline that many of us can relate to.
The novel traces the life an average Japanese man from childhood to adulthood. When he is twelve, Hajime, an only child, meets Shimamoto, a girl of the same age. Being the only two only children in their school, they become good friends and develop a special bond to each other. However, they lose touch when Shimamoto moves to another town with her parents.
We then learn of Hajime’s years as a teenager and young adult where he parties a lot, sleeps around, and breaks girls’ hearts. While in his 20s, Hajime feels lost and directionless, and it’s as if he is sleepwalking through life. Later, he meets, falls in love with, and marries Yukiko with whom he finally feels a sense of belonging to. Together they make a good life for themselves with Hajime becoming the owner of two jazz bars and Yukiko being the virtuous wife looking after their two young daughters. [Incidentally, the title is taken from a Nat King Cole song.]
However, this nice equilibrium is shaken when Shimamoto walks into Hajime’s life again after 25 years…
This novel depicts a thoroughly believable situation which many will find themselves caught in. Lost loves, missed opportunities, and the inevitability of some things in life are written in a wistful style which characterises Murakami’s novels.
A nice read on a wistful rainy day but not recommended for the chronically depressed!