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A review by ambershelf
強風吹拂 by Shion Miura, 三浦紫苑
5.0
read in Mandarin. English translation gifted by the publisher
Kakeru Kurahara, a former high school track star disillusioned with running, finds himself on the streets of Tokyo one night after shoplifting. As he runs aimlessly, Haiji Kiyose, a fellow student at Kansei University, approaches him. Haiji, impressed by Kakeru's speed, invites him to live at Chikusei-so, a dorm where Haiji and several other students reside. What Kakeru doesn't know is that Haiji has a plan—he wants to form a 10-man team to compete in the legendary Hakone Ekiden, a prestigious college marathon relay.
With the dorm filled with students far from athletic, Kakeru is skeptical. But Haiji's infectious passion slowly convinces the group to join the challenge. Over the next ten months, the ragtag team trains hard, learns to work together, and pushes themselves beyond their limits, not just physically but emotionally. Along the way, they discover the importance of camaraderie, the joy of shared dreams, and the unexpected rewards of perseverance.
Who would have thought that a book about long-distance relay running could make me cry? RUN WITH THE WIND is a moving story that follows a group of college students as they train for a challenging marathon relay. The plot is dynamic, with a focus on each character's personal journey. Miura's exploration of the reasons behind running, the drive to push physical limits, and the deeper meaning of sports is truly compelling.
RUN WITH THE WIND shines in its exploration of true sportsmanship. It's not just about numbers or being first but the more profound, internal quest to understand oneself. The story made me reflect on why people participate in sports even when they know they might not win. I rarely watch sports, and I've always wondered why people put themselves through such physical challenges. RUN WITH THE WIND opened my eyes to the beauty and complexity of athleticism—the emotional and mental dedication athletes give to their sport and the meaning they find beyond victory.
Miura also beautifully portrays the theme of found family and brotherhood. The bond that forms between these young men as they strive for a seemingly impossible goal is touching. Their friendships, along with the admiration and jealousy that naturally come with such close-knit relationships, are depicted with such depth. The emotional journey of the Hakone Ekiden race brought tears to my eyes, and by the end, I found myself with a new perspective on sports and a newfound respect for athletes. RUN WITH THE WIND is a favorite that completely changed my view on running, even as someone who finds it boring!
Kakeru Kurahara, a former high school track star disillusioned with running, finds himself on the streets of Tokyo one night after shoplifting. As he runs aimlessly, Haiji Kiyose, a fellow student at Kansei University, approaches him. Haiji, impressed by Kakeru's speed, invites him to live at Chikusei-so, a dorm where Haiji and several other students reside. What Kakeru doesn't know is that Haiji has a plan—he wants to form a 10-man team to compete in the legendary Hakone Ekiden, a prestigious college marathon relay.
With the dorm filled with students far from athletic, Kakeru is skeptical. But Haiji's infectious passion slowly convinces the group to join the challenge. Over the next ten months, the ragtag team trains hard, learns to work together, and pushes themselves beyond their limits, not just physically but emotionally. Along the way, they discover the importance of camaraderie, the joy of shared dreams, and the unexpected rewards of perseverance.
Who would have thought that a book about long-distance relay running could make me cry? RUN WITH THE WIND is a moving story that follows a group of college students as they train for a challenging marathon relay. The plot is dynamic, with a focus on each character's personal journey. Miura's exploration of the reasons behind running, the drive to push physical limits, and the deeper meaning of sports is truly compelling.
RUN WITH THE WIND shines in its exploration of true sportsmanship. It's not just about numbers or being first but the more profound, internal quest to understand oneself. The story made me reflect on why people participate in sports even when they know they might not win. I rarely watch sports, and I've always wondered why people put themselves through such physical challenges. RUN WITH THE WIND opened my eyes to the beauty and complexity of athleticism—the emotional and mental dedication athletes give to their sport and the meaning they find beyond victory.
Miura also beautifully portrays the theme of found family and brotherhood. The bond that forms between these young men as they strive for a seemingly impossible goal is touching. Their friendships, along with the admiration and jealousy that naturally come with such close-knit relationships, are depicted with such depth. The emotional journey of the Hakone Ekiden race brought tears to my eyes, and by the end, I found myself with a new perspective on sports and a newfound respect for athletes. RUN WITH THE WIND is a favorite that completely changed my view on running, even as someone who finds it boring!