サウスバウンド 奥田英朗

Southbound
Hideo Okuda

You are an 11 year old boy living in Tokyo. You deal with bullies by standing on your own two feet, even if it means getting punched. You don't trust adults. You are beginning to realize your sexuality and attraction to other girls. You have decent mates to hang around with and you would do anything for them. Your dad doesn't work and is renowned for being an extremist anarchist. He often comes to your school to complain. He often has visitors from people asking him to pay his taxes. Your dad and his mates don't believe in the "system" and soon enough you find yourself wrapped up in a murder case. Your dad isn't to blame, but his reputation does him no good. Your mother just rolls her eyes at your fathers antics and carries on with life. But rumours have it that she isn't as innocent as she seems...

You wake up one morning to find most of your belongings gone and a ticket to move to a remote island in southern Okinawa. Your mum is delighted by your fathers plans. Suddenly your father becomes very reliable - he works and provides for his family. But then the "system" catch up with him. Your father just loves a fight. And to your dismay, you find yourself agreeing with his views. But to what cost?

A two-part book about the pursuit of freedom, the bond of a family, and the growth of an adolescent boy.

And, of course, the added benefit of Okinawa :p