Review

WL Rating

This book was released in 1956 to mixed reviews. I, however, had no mixed views on the book and found it to be a sweet tale of poor young fisherman’s quest to win the hand of a virtuous daughter of a wealthy merchant marine. The story is set on a remote, small island in Japan, Uta-Jima, whose economy is driven by the traditional Japanese island-roles where the men fish and the women pearl dive. There are also interesting peripheral passages in the book describing the pearl diving competition, fishing, and episodes at the bath house. While the book is laid out in a simple fashion, which may have been the problem for some mid-1950’s reviewers, the story unfolds naturally in classic understated Japanese style. If you’ve never read anything by a Japanese author, this book is a nice introduction to their craft.  (November 2008)

The Sound of Waves - Yukio Mishima

Details

Category: Fiction

Reading Style: Medium

Pages: 192

Pub Date: 1956

Tags: Fishing, Islands