Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

by Haruki Murakami

“Can I ask you a question?” Tsukuru said. “Sure.” “In different religions prophets fall into a kind of ecstasy and receive a message from an absolute being.” “Correct.” “And this takes place somewhere that transcends free will, right? Always passively.” “That’s correct.” “And that message surpasses the boundaries of the individual prophet and functions in a broader, universal way.” “Correct again.” “And in that message there is neither contradiction nor equivocation.” Haida nodded silently. “I don’t get it,” Tsukuru said. “If that’s true, then what’s the value of human free will?” “That’s a great question,” Haida said, and smiled quietly. The kind of smile a cat gives as it stretches out, napping in the sun. “I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t. Not yet.”