Sheep (novel)

Sheep is a dystopian science fiction novel by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, first published in Japan in 1982 as Hitsuji o meguru bōken (羊をめぐる冒険), which translates to "A Wild Sheep Chase". It is the third novel in Murakami's "Rat" trilogy, preceded by Hear the Wind Sing (1979) and Pinball, 1973 (1980), and followed by Dance Dance Dance (1988), though the latter can be considered a standalone work.

The novel follows an unnamed narrator, a Tokyo advertising executive, who finds himself embroiled in a mysterious and potentially dangerous quest involving a sheep with a distinctive star-shaped birthmark on its back. The narrator and his girlfriend are drawn into the search at the behest of a shadowy figure connected to a powerful and influential right-wing leader.

The story is characterized by Murakami's signature blend of surrealism, detective fiction, and existential themes. The narrator's journey takes him to the remote and desolate landscapes of Hokkaido, where he encounters a variety of eccentric characters and grapples with questions of identity, memory, and the nature of reality. The novel explores themes of power, corruption, and the individual's struggle against societal forces. The titular sheep symbolizes something beyond the literal animal, representing a mysterious and potent force that influences events and individuals.