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chris (Japan) (2018/01/25):
5 April 2011 - Published on Amazon.com
This book centers around four main characters and their relationship to a supposedly inactive volcano named Akadake. The volcano takes on a personality of its own, and it seems that it is a picture of a sin and evil. Father Sato, one of the characters in the book, says that "We can think of Akadake as a symbol of the thing that we call sin." (168) Even though people in the story may not realize it, or may not want to realize it, the volcano is actually active. In the same way, even though a person may not realize it, or may not want to realize it, the human heart is corrupt.Jinpei Suda, who just retired from the Weather Bureau, is an expert on Akadake. He has been convinced that it is no longer active based on previous studies and his own work during his career. He has built up a reputation in his field based on Akadake. However, shortly after his retirement his life goes into a tailspin- his health, his family, and perhaps even his long-held theories on Akadake are about to go out the window. Just as Suda's life is revealed for what it really is, the volcano gives signs that it is not inactive. Durand is a bitter and cynical excommunicated priest who is convinced that the people of Japan cannot understand the concept of sin and redemption. He is also convinced that Akadake will erupt and destroy a retreat that Father Sato is building on the volcano. He spends time living in a hospital room due to poor health (Suda ends up in the room next to Durand). City Councilman Aiba seeks Suda's expertise on the volcano because he wants to build a lavish hotel on it. He wants assurance that Akadake is indeed no longer active so he can go on with his business. Father Sato is a Catholic priest who has a dream to build a retreat on Akadake. He wants to continue on with his projects and says that Akadake "has changed to an utterly peaceful mountain." (168) He visits the excommunicated priest Durand in the hospital once in a while because he feels that he has to, but in reality he doesn't want to be bothered with people like Durand. Volcano isn't the most enjoyable book that Endo has written. There are no endearing characters in it. It is not unusual for Endo's novels to be a little dark and this is definitely one of them. Endo is an excellent writer, however. He did his research on volcanoes for this one; it is said that he even had himself lowered by helicopter into one.
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