SPUTNIK SWEETHEART

BY- Vanshita

Name of book: Sputnik Sweetheart

Author: Haruki Murakami

Number of pages: 229

Rating: 5/5

"Why do people have to be this lonely? What's the point of it all? Millions of people in this world, all of them yearning, looking to others to satisfy them, yet isolating themselves. Why? Was the earth put here just to nourish human loneliness?"

There are some books that make you feel seen, and this was mine. Sputnik Sweetheart follows the story of Sumire and the Male Protagonist " K". The male protagonist has feelings for Sumire whereas she is in love with a woman who's 17 years older than her. Sumire is the unpredictable character. Her life story is so moving. Her battle through loneliness, isolation and then facing challenges in her work life as well, she

truly becomes the character one could look upon. The book leaves the reader with a certain sort of realization, its ability to make the most mundane things that we usually don't even pay much attention to seem so important is what makes it an excellent book. The reading style is quick to read which is very rare for any Murakami books. With its trope being a love triangle and unrequited love, it may get confused as a romance book. It certainly isn't one. The questioning about one's own choices, activities, desires become a mirror for the reader to question their own. Murakami through his magical realism leaves the reader to interpret ending themselves which is so typical of him!