The Sound of Waves chronicles the budding romance between two teenagers in a remote fishing village in Japan. On the surface, it is a simple and somewhat predictable story of forbidden love, but it is also a commentary about traditional, rural life in Japan on the heels of World War II. The most outstanding aspect of this novel is the beautifully descriptive passages about the surrounding ocean scenery and day-to-day life of the locals in a small island town. If you've read any other novels by Yukio Mishima, you're familiar with his proclivity for tragic characters and dogmatic content. This particular novel is a worthwhile read as it demonstrates that Mishima is capable of writing a happy ending without compromising his lyrical writing skills.
Set in a remote fishing village in Japan, The Sound of Waves is a timeless story of first love. A young fisherman is entranced at the sight of the beautiful daughter of the wealthiest man in the village. They fall in love, but must then endure the calumny and gossip of the villagers.