The Big Wave is a short novel by Pearl S. Buck. Kino is a young Japanese boy who lives on a small farm on the side of a mountain. If he is not at school or working with his father, he is usually with his friend Jiya, who lives in a fishing village just below the mountain. Because he lives so close to the ocean, Jiya often worries that the sea will suddenly become angry and create a phenomenon known as the “big wave,” a huge and destructive wall of water. Kino is aware that the big wave is a real possibility, but he does not consider it likely to actually occur. Unfortunately, the big wave suddenly appears one day and annihilates the entire fishing village, including Jiya’s family. Jiya was with Kino and his family when it happened, so he saw the entire destruction of his village. Kino does not know whether Jiya will be able to endure the emotional shock of this tragedy.

This book is short, but extremely impactful. I have always been fascinated with Japanese culture, and this book provides a great deal of insight into their traditions and way of life. This book is very realistic and meaningful. For example, Kino’s character traits, and specifically his flaws and weaknesses, are described in a very genuine way. Possibly my favorite thing about this book is its overarching message of dealing with grief and hardship. It also teaches about the power of bravery and the human spirit. After the big wave hit the village, I actually felt worried about Jiya and I wondered how he would be able to cope after this traumatizing experience. The way Jiya responds to this event would probably feel very relatable to anyone who has experienced a personal tragedy. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a short but poignant read.

The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded from Libby.