In this novel Shusaku Endo describes the fate of two
different persons.
The first plot line focuses on Ozu, an
honest and modest man, who grews up in the thirties of the last
century. The scond plot line follows his son Eiichi who puts his
career as an doctor in hospital first place, even comprosing his
patients' well being. They are like yin and yang.
The novel starts with Ozu sitting in
the train and meeting an old schoolmate for the first time since
school. This is an occasion for him to remember, especially his
deceased schoolmate Flatfish.
His memories are full of experience
growing up in a Japan that no longer exists. Life in his childhood
was tough and of shortage. On the other hand, life was easier without
the pressure of prosperity. Ozu's evoked nostalgic feelings are in
contrast to the life of his son.
His son Eiichi is a hard working man.
During his middle school the father thought of him as a loyal son but
since preparing for studying medicine Eiichi seems changed. Now he
feels he has nothing in common with his own child.
Eiichi thinks that his father is an old
school and kind man that lets others push him around. .
He wants success so badly that he´d do
anything for it. In the daily routine of work, he feels and sees that
he is an outsider. Colleagues his age have a life more easy because
they belong to right clique. So he is jealous. And he tries
everything to get an better standing.
In the hospital there is a co-worker he
doesn´t like. These colleague dates the boss's daughter This
co-worker's father runs an pharmaceutic company. So the boss, the
pharmacist and the colleague plan to test a new medicine on
patients. But the medicine fails.
Eiichi passes the information to the
media. However he does so in his own interest and not for the
patients' good. As a result of the scandal his co-worker is fired,
which makes way for him to console his boss's daughter. He hope a
possible marriage will boost his career chances.
The story shows the depths of the soul
and what a man is able to reach his goals.
Typically for japanese literature the
book is also a display for human loneliness and the desperate pursuit
of happiness.
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