Review of the novel 'Honeybees and Distant Thunder' (No Spoilers)

*This article contains affiliate links, but the content reflects my honest impressions as a reader. I hope you enjoy reading it.

*This article is a revised and updated version of a post previously published on another blog.

Today, I'm talking about Riku Onda's 'Honeybees and Distant Thunder'.

Introduction and Synopsis of 'Honeybees and Distant Thunder'

Overview

• Title: 'Honeybees and Distant Thunder'

• Author: Riku Onda

• Publication Year: 2016

• Publisher: Gentosha

• Awards: 156th Naoki Prize, 14th Japan Booksellers' Award

This work achieved the incredible feat of winning both the Naoki Prize and the Japan Booksellers' Award. Regarding the Japan Booksellers' Award, the author previously won the 2nd award for 'Night Picnic', and it is said that this was the first time in history for the same author to win the Japan Booksellers' Award twice. It was truly overwhelming.



12 years of planning, 11 years of research, and 7 years of writing were spent on this endless masterpiece. It is deeply moving to think that a work that touched my heart so much took that many years to write.

Synopsis

It was also adapted into a movie in 2019. I am originally a fan of the original work, but the movie was also interesting. I'd like to write a review article for it sometime.

By the way, here is the movie. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can watch it for free.

Impressions and Review of 'Honeybees and Distant Thunder'

Overwhelming. I found myself wincing and clutching my chest, defeated by the overwhelming power of expression.

The main characters are piano players with phenomenal talent. The thoughts and emotions unique to geniuses are depicted so concretely that they go beyond my imagination; it's a masterpiece. As their hearts race, my own heart leaps along with them. Yet, the universal human emotions are depicted with such care, and the subtle differences in feelings and frustrations between men and women were also charming, making me nod and think, 'Exactly.'

Above all, more than when listening to real music, the feeling of musical landscapes rising up in my heart was so pleasant that I read it very, very slowly.

I took piano lessons for about 10 years, so I knew the names of composers and their pieces, but even though I didn't associate them with their characteristics or melodies, I was so drawn in by this music of words that I was astonished every time I turned the page.

This is the first novel I've ever intentionally taken days to read because I just couldn't bear to finish it. Usually, I'm so curious about what happens next that I read it all in one go. I am truly, truly happy to have encountered a book that deserves to be savored like this.

Summary of impressions and reviews of 'Honeybees and Distant Thunder'

• People who like (classical) music

• People who usually breeze through novels

• People who haven't read works by Riku Onda

I want you to experience an amazing reading journey with this book. I highly recommend it.

Note: The paperback and Kindle versions are divided into two volumes, upper and lower.

Books recommended for you if you were 'hooked' on 'Honeybees and Distant Thunder'

'Festival and Premonition'

A spin-off short story collection for 'Honeybees and Distant Thunder'.
I've been wanting to read it, but I haven't yet. I want to read it soon...

'Night Picnic'

A Japan Booksellers' Award-winning work by the same author. This one is, well, you can't imagine it from the title and cover... It was so interesting...

'The Forest of Wool and Steel' by Natsu Miyashita

For a piano-related recommendation, this is definitely the one. Enjoy the luxury of reading a book written with such meticulous care here as well.

Many other recommended works as well!