Book: Sputnik Sweetheart

Author : Haruki Murakami

Genre : Magical Realism, Queer

Publication : Vintage

Format : paperback

Book cost: ₹315

4.6⭐️/5

Blogpost by Dhanu

Murakami started to fascinate me when I heard his name in a web series back in 2017. After that, his name started popping up among book bloggers community. So, I gave my shot on his spellbinding work, Kafka on the Shore in 2020. I took my time to finish it as I am new to his unimaginable way of storytelling. The story itself lingered in my thoughts and dreams long after my reading session. Here we are with his another well-known work, Sputnik Sweetheart. Once again, Murakami strikes the chord with me.

The novel is primarily set in Kichijoji, Japan. The story is narrated in third person perspective by the character often mentioned as K. He is a twenty-five-year-old primary school teacher. He is the only closest friend of the protagonist, Sumire, a 22 year old struggling writer from Chigasaki. They share unique bond that makes resilient and depressive Sumire to discuss her unfinished manuscripts with him, which do not grace the eyes of public.

Sumire lives in a sparsely finished tiny apartment filled with piles of books whose dressing style reminiscent of a character from a Jack Kerouac novel. She is talented writer who relies on modest allowance from her father and step-mother to get by. She meets Miu, a forty year old business woman in her cousin’s wedding reception. Miu offered Sumire a job to work as her personal secretary. She eagerly takes the job to spend more time with Miu.

Miu’s arrival in Sumire’s life brings about significant changes in her, including the way she looks. Miu does some makeover and transforms her appearance to suit her age. The plot travels mundane until Sumire accompanies Miu on a business trip to a Greek Island where she mysteriously disappears. Murakami loves to narrate his story to move back and forth in time period to reveal his crucial plot twists.

The title, Sputnik Sweetheart, signifies the specification of Sumire’s nicknaming Miu. Murakami employs his penchant for integrating mysterious phenomena into the actions of his characters. His open-ended approach to the climax expands the mystical boundary of the plot for his reader’s imaginations.

The novel boards a handful of characters as minor ones and pinpoints three characters to track his narration. The protagonist finds herself grappling with conflicting emotions to either express or suppress her feelings towards Miu. Sumire lacks parental bonding and has never expressed her affections for anyone.

Her seclusion pushes her in lack of confidence to wait till the outcome. It is evident that her personality is the reason for the step back in her writing career. Probably, this leads to the procrastination behaviour of her unfinished manuscripts.

Moreover, Sumire often views herself as an insignificant piece of existence. This may initiate her feelings towards Miu who handles her life and career with precision. But, on the other side, Miu distinguishes her needs in life and lives accordingly. She has clarity on what she is doing in her life. Sumire’s affection gives warmth to the aloof life of Sumire, who develops feelings akin to those of a woman who is in her maternal figure.

The third major character, who is also the narrator of the story, is Sumire’s confidant. He gives his immense presence in her life whenever she needs it. As a friend, he rushes to help Sumire in her crucial time. Though he has his unrevealed feelings for Sumire, he restrains himself from disrupting their bond. She even has the comfort to confide in him about her unrequited love for Miu. Miu is a married Korean woman with complex past that gets unfolded as the novel progresses.

The language is at an intermediary level in Murakami’s writing style. His narration has a beginner-friendly approach for his new readers. He weaves an elegant writing to be poised as an enigmatic plot with his unique plot twist.

Overall, the novel can be treated as an introduction to the Murakami literary universe.

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