{"id":575,"date":"2015-11-26T01:44:44","date_gmt":"2015-11-25T20:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fableandi.com\/?p=575"},"modified":"2020-04-04T19:33:51","modified_gmt":"2020-04-04T14:03:51","slug":"norwegian-wood-haruki-murakami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebooksatchel.com\/norwegian-wood-haruki-murakami\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami"},"content":{"rendered":"

Norwegian Wood<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Review<\/h3>\n

Norwegian Wood is a complicated love story narrated in a simple manner that raised Haruki Murakami\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"Norwegian
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Norwegian Wood<\/em> is about struggles \u2013 Toru\u2019s struggle in finding what he wants, Naoko\u2019s in coming to terms with her sorrows and how much help she should expect from Toru and Midori\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Read <\/em><\/strong> : The Wind up Bird Chronicle remains my favourite Murakami novel. Here’s why<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The character build up in the story is unmatchable (except for the character of Reiki, Naoko\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Title : Norwegian Wood (Noruwei no Mori)
\nAuthor : Haruki Murakami
\nTranslated by : Jay Rubin from Japanese
\nPublished : 1987
\nLanguage : English
\nPages : 389
\nRating : 4\/5<\/p>\n

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE<\/h4>\n

Rainbirds<\/em> is a story of grief and loneliness with distinct Murakami vibes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The Red Circle Minis are original Japanese stories in pocket sized editions<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Three books by women from Japan<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Norwegian Wood is a love story set in 1960s in Japan. 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