Set in Tokyo during the late 1960s, "Norwegian Wood" by Haruki Murakami tells the story of Toru, a college student navigating the aftermath of his best friend's suicide and the mental health struggles of his friend's girlfriend, Naoko. As Toru meets Midori, a progressive fellow student, he is faced with the challenge of letting go of the past to embrace the future. The novel delves into themes of mental health, suicide, relationships, and personal growth in a realistic and reflective manner, all set against the backdrop of late 1960s Tokyo.

Murakami's writing style in "Norwegian Wood" is described as poignant, reflective, and touching. The novel unfolds at a walking pace, punctuated by small moments of loss and heartbreak, devoid of the magical realism present in his other works. The characters, particularly Toru, Naoko, and Midori, are portrayed with depth and complexity as they navigate the complexities of life, love, and personal struggles.

Characters:

The characters are complex, with Toru as a reflective young man drawn between two distinct women, each representing different emotional journeys.

Writing/Prose:

Murakami's writing style is characterized by its lyrical and evocative nature, effectively conveying emotions through simple yet impactful language and vivid imagery.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around personal loss and the difficulties of love, as Toru navigates his feelings and memories surrounding two women while dealing with the aftermath of a friend's suicide.

Setting:

The setting is crucial, capturing the essence of 1960s Tokyo and its societal changes.

Pacing:

The pacing of the novel is slow, allowing for deep character exploration and emotional resonance rather than fast-paced action.

I WAS THIRTY-SEVEN THEN, STRAPPED IN MY SEAT AS THE HUGE 747 plunged through dense cloud cover on approach to the Hamburg airport. Cold November rains drenched the earth and lent everything the gloomy...

Notes:

Norwegian Wood is a novel by Haruki Murakami published in 1987.

The story is narrated by Toru Watanabe, a Japanese man reflecting on his college years in Tokyo.

It explores themes of love, loss, and mental illness, particularly in the context of youth in the 1960s.

The book features two main female characters, Naoko and Midori, who represent contrasting paths for Watanabe.

Naoko is emotionally fragile and struggles with the aftermath of her boyfriend's suicide, while Midori is bold and outspoken.

The title and motifs of the novel are inspired by the Beatles song "Norwegian Wood."

The book is notable for its lack of magical realism, a departure from much of Murakami's other work.

Norwegian Wood gained immense popularity, significantly elevating Murakami's status as a writer, especially in Japan.

It has been suggested that the novel is reminiscent of J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" due to its themes of isolation and existential angst.

There are various interpretations of the ending, which features themes of unresolved loss and the complexity of love.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Norwegian Wood include themes of suicide, mental health issues, and explicit sexual content, which may be triggering for some readers.

Has Romance?

Romance is a central element in Norwegian Wood, highlighting the complexities of relationships and emotional attachments throughout the narrative.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

Toru, a quiet and preternaturally serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman, but their mutual passion is marked by the tragic death of their best friend years before. Toru begins to adapt to campus life and the loneliness and isolation he faces there, but Naoko finds the pressures and responsibilities of life unbearable. As she retreats further into her own world, Toru finds himself reaching out to others and drawn to a fiercely independent and sexually liberated young woman.

Ratings (177)

Incredible (25)
Loved It (65)
Liked It (39)
It Was OK (22)
Did Not Like (15)
Hated It (11)

Reader Stats (379):

Read It (180)
Currently Reading (5)
Want To Read (152)
Did Not Finish (6)
Not Interested (36)

2 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

It Was OK

2 months

Haruki Murakami is one of those author I badly want to like, see so many loving his books. But unfortunately I just can't seem to enjoy them. I can agree that he is a good writer but the story or characters never works quite for me. Think I've only rated the trilogy more then 3 stars, at least the first one.

ricsum645

Hated It

8 months

Creepy and weird just for the sake of weirdness

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About the Author:

HARUKI MURAKAMI was born in Kyoto in 1949 and now lives near Tokyo. His work has been translated into more than fifty languages, and the most recent of his many international honors is the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award in…

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Norwegian Wood

Haruki Murakami