The Sound of Waves

Love in Nature

This love story, placed on a remote Japanese island, is a joy to read ! I found myself being introduced to this island life, where fishing is the main income for the residents with men going out on boats whenever possible and woman bringing up seafood by diving.
The main character Shinji won my heart instantly by being so honest, hardworking, kind and handsome.He falls in love with Hatsue, an exceptionally beautiful girl who is new to the island, daughter of an influential man.
A contest evolves amongst young men around Hatsue, but Shinji is ahead of the others due to some early chance encounters.
Next, the author introduces some intrigue, brought about by the envious daughter of the lighthouse-keeper, a town-girl and student, who is stricken with self-doubts.
When she observes Shinji and Hatsue one evening together, she sows the seed to long lasting gossip, whereby Shinji seduced Hatsue in an immoral way.
This suits Yasuo, the other main suitor.

Hatsue father forbids her to have any contact with Shinji and for some time, the young couple can only communicate by secret letter. However, one by one, all island people get involved in the story and both Hatsue and Shinji are are finding a lot of support.
Ultimately, Hatsue’s father decides the dilemma by testing Yasuo’s and Shinji’s qualities during a dangerous ship journey and Shinji shows himself as the stronger and more enthusiastic worker by far, so that Hatsue’s father consents to their marriage in the end.
The story gets accompanied by a number of side-events out of other islanders lives. Also, Shinji’s and Hatsue’s Faith plays a role and the reader learns about Japanese sacred rituals.
The main strength of the novel though is the way the two protagonists are drawn, so that the reader cannot help but love and cherish them. I am sure to read the novel again and I can certainly recommend wholeheartedly !