I’ve never really been one for happy endings. They always strike me as trite, or unrealistic, or somehow unbelievable. So I found it surprising to so enjoy The Sound of Waves, one of several books set in Japan that I brought on my first trip here.
The Sound of Waves tells the story of Shinji, a young teen living on the island of Uta-jima. Shinji is a fisherman from a poor family – as most families on the island are – but he has never known another life, and his fresh perspective and happiness is so effusive that he is even occasionally perceived to be a fool by other characters in the book not from the island.
Shinji’s life changes, however, the day he meets Hatsue, a “newcomer” returning to the island after years away. The two quickly fall in love and have to overcome a series of obstacles in order to find their way to one another.
The obstacles, while slightly stereotypical, are portrayed in a refreshing way. My favorite? A jealous rumor is spread by another girl on the island who has long harbored a crush on Shinji that she herself recognizes is wrong and corrects. This kindness and self-awareness is so rarely portrayed in teen girls in media, and I was so, so pleased to see it.
The backdrop of the Japanese island was, of course, the reason I chose this book to accompany me on my trip through Japan. But the reason I stuck with it was this quiet, poignant story of first love and self-discovery.