4.0

Took a fairly unexpected 'Lord of the Flies' turn, though looking back all the warning signs were there. Thoroughly enjoyed this towards the end, think it's a bit of a slow build up - disguised as a simple sailor romance at first; but boy does it take a dark and twisted turn! An exploration of human nature through the eyes of a 13 year old boy, his mother and a sailor. Beautiful descriptions of the sea/life at sea, fatherhood, longing and societal expectations. Definitely one to read for fans of Japanese literature.