Hear the Wind Sing

Summary

"Hear the Wind Sing" is the debut novel by Haruki Murakami, which tells the story of a young man spending the summer of 1970 in his hometown. The main character, whose name is not revealed, returns home for the holidays and spends time with his friend nicknamed the Rat. They often meet at a bar owned by Jay, where they discuss life, literature, and music. Central to the narrative is also the story of a girl with four fingers on one hand, with whom the protagonist develops a complex relationship. The novel explores themes of loneliness, the search for meaning in life, and attempts to understand oneself and the world around. Murakami uses simple yet profound dialogues to convey the atmosphere of the time and place, as well as the inner experiences of the characters.