Sputnik Sweetheart

In Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami, each of the story’s main characters must endure the pressure to give up their ambitions in order to assimilate into society. Narrated by a character who has forced himself, through will power, to conform and fit into the rigid structure of civilization, the novel follows Sumire, a free spirited aspiring writer.

Focusing heavily on subjective perceptions, the author asserts the notion that most people do not truly know themselves and wander through life without any real clarity or understanding. It seems to be true that people have an obvious desire to belong. Other than this omnipresent desire, however, most people do not understanding themselves, their feelings, and the motivations for their actions.

Sumire’s spontaneity and emotional openness make her somewhat of an outcast in society, leading to the narrator’s attraction to her. His own introversion and closed personality contrast sharply with hers. However, as Sumire’s lesbian relationship with Miu progresses, she undergoes a forced personality change similar to that of the narrator. Unlike the narrator, Sumire’s strong sense of individualism makes this change impossible.

Their long discussions on the nature of perceptions and life in general show the vast differences in their ideals. The narrator’s devotion to integrating himself has clearly led to his inability to express himself, whereas Sumire’s constant desire to express herself leads to her inability to fit into wider society. Both characters are, by the end of the novel, casualties of the societal pressure to conform.