Norwegian Wood is a love story set in 1960s in Japan. The book is about the complexities of love, death, mental illness, suicide and the struggle of the characters to get past tragedies in their lives and find happiness with each other.
Review
Norwegian Wood is a complicated love story narrated in a simple manner that raised Haruki Murakami’s position in the literary world to what it is today. The story begins with Toru Watanabe recollecting his younger days at college on hearing the Beatles song, Norwegian Wood. When nineteen, he rekindles his friendship with Naoko who was the girlfriend of his best friend Kizuki, who committed suicide when seventeen. Toru falls in love with Naoko as they struggle to come to terms with the tragedy and realize that Kizuki’s death is the bond that binds them as well as limits them. As the story progresses, Toru is faced with the choice of infinitely waiting for Naoko, (who resigns herself to a mental health retreat centre to overcome her grief) or allowing Midori (who he meets at the university and with whom he strikes up an instant connection) to be a part of his life. While Naoko is fragile and delicate and mesmerizes Toru, Midori is outspoken with strong viewpoints and surprises him with her unpredictable nature. Toru being fed up of meaningless sex with random girls, tries to define his relationship with Naoko and Midori, but can never reach a definite conclusion.
Norwegian Wood is about struggles – Toru’s struggle in finding what he wants, Naoko’s in coming to terms with her sorrows and how much help she should expect from Toru and Midori’s struggle to get closer to Toru. The college life in 1960s which forms the backdrop of the story is wonderfully incorporated. The descriptions of winter, which isolates human beings just like the mental health retreat, echo with the melancholy rhythm of the book.
Read : The Wind up Bird Chronicle remains my favourite Murakami novel. Here’s why
The character build up in the story is unmatchable (except for the character of Reiki, Naoko’s friend, who seems unrealistic to me). Murakami, while emphasizing on themes of death, love and disconnectedness, does not ignore small details in the lives of college going students such as university classes, part time jobs and partying at clubs. As you read, you feel the weight of pressure on Toru to make choices at such a young age. You sympathize with his choices rather than rebuking him at any point. I found myself weighing Toru’s care and love towards Naoko inspite of her failing health against his passing youth as he could be happier had he decided to spend time with someone who can offer him a real life of love. You would enjoy the book if you love character developments as a plot progresses. However there are many frank discussions about sex, so those who do not prefer such writing can avoid the book.
Title : Norwegian Wood (Noruwei no Mori)
Author : Haruki Murakami
Translated by : Jay Rubin from Japanese
Published : 1987
Language : English
Pages : 389
Rating : 4/5
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I had heard so much about Murakami so I finally tried one of his books this year. ‘Dance, Dance, Dance,’
I liked it, Though i did not really understand ‘Murakami’s’ famous usage of fantastical elements such as The Sheep Man etc it was a good contemporary book. Murakami fans have suggested I read Norwegian Wood for its subdued fantastical elements.
I have read only Norwegian wood by Murakami which is very different from his other novels. So I am not familiar with his styles of magical realism elements. I would be trying more of his works next year. And yes, Norwegian wood is a normal love story with absolutely no fantastic elements involved
I love the book photographs accompanying your reviews. Keep it up!
Thank you very much Michelle
Glad to see you’ve reviewed one of my favorite books by Murakami 😀 I agree with this review; it’s not a very traditional book. I have read IQ48 and the Wind-up Bird Chronicle which has more magical realism elements, especially the latter. I like Norwegian Wood for it’s simple, prosaic approach which contrasts with other Murakami works.
This is the only one of Murakami that I have read. I like magical realism as a genre and maybe I should pick up his other works that has magical realistic elements in it. I was heavily recommended IQ84. But the size intimidates me. I need to explore his other works this year.
I’ve read IQ84 and I just loved it. I am thinking of getting “Kafka on the shore” for my next read. Now that I read this, shall put this one on the list as well