A novel from one of the outstanding writers of the world (The New York Times) that explores the vicious nature of youth that is sometimes mistaken for innocence. - A major work of art. --Time Thirteen-year-old Noboru is a member of a gang of highly philosophical teenage boys who reject the tenets of the adult world -- to them adult life is illusory hypocritical and sentimental. When Noboru s widowed mother is romanced by Ryuji a sailor Noboru is thrilled. He idolizes this rugged man of the sea as a hero. But his admiration soon turns to hatred as Ryuji forsakes life onboard the ship for marriage rejecting everything Noboru holds sacred. Upset and appalled he and his friends respond to this apparent betrayal with a terrible ferocity.