Hajime and Shimamoto had been childhood sweethearts. Both only children, the two would meet after school to listen to records and talk about the future. Now, in his late thirties, Hajime is married, a father, a successful nightclub owner and happily settled in life after years of directionless drifting. By chance he meets Shimamoto again and is drawn into the mysteries of her life. Overcome by pity, enchantment and desire, he decides to risk all his security for the chance to consummate his first love. South of the Border, West of the Sun is a bittersweet examination of the intricacies of desire and our longing for the unobtainable. In this subtle love story about how much, and yet also how little, time changes people, Haruki Murakami confirms his reputation as Japan s leading novelist.