村上春樹の「ダンス・ダンス・ダンス」は、「ノルウェイの森」の次に出た長編小説です。村上小説は、推理小説と違い、読んでる最中は頭をフル回転させなければならないことは少ないですが、心の動揺が激しいです。特に、「親しい人が亡くなる」という出来事において、非常に理不尽な思いをさせられます。
「ダンス・ダンス・ダンス」のディック・ノースに関してもそうでした。
"It's sad, but I think he was that sort of person," I said. "A nice guy, maybe even worthy of respect. But he got treated like some kind of fancy trash basket. People were always dumping on him. Maybe he was born with that tendency. Mediocrity's like a spot on a shirt—it never comes off."
"Well, of course it is," I said, trying to smile too. "I doubt that this makes sense to most people. But I think I'm right. People die all the time. Life is a lot more fragile than we think. So you should treat others in a way that leaves no regrets. Fairly, and if possible, sincerely. It's too easy not to make the effort, then weep and wring your hands after the person dies. Personally, I don't buy it."
