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peytoncainn 's review for:
Norwegian Wood
by Haruki Murakami
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Norwegian Wood is my first Murakami. Murakami’s writing and storytelling is gentle yet evocative like a summer breeze, it’s no wonder he’s such a prolific writer. Toru Watanabe’s coming of age story details growing up in the late 60’s and 70’s and dealing with great love and loss.
I did enjoy reading this book, though I think some plot points were added purely for shock value or out of some weird fixation. I understand using said events as a catalyst to Reiko’s most recent relapse, but it was an interesting decision to say the least. Murakami your kinks are fine and dandy, just leave them to the adults. There could be a larger discussion for classics like Norwegian Wood, and whether or not these plot elements are deliberate, taboo choices made by the author to further the novel’s impact (or again some fixation); that’s a conversation for another time. I could have simply done without and find it off-putting the way it was discussed. Yes, I’m aware this book was published in ‘87.
I loved Midori’s character. I thought she was unlike any character I’ve ever read. Her dimension and inner monologue (that she frequently vocalized) shows her own inner turmoil and coming of age story. I thought she was beautifully and hilariously written.
4* originally, the Reiko bit I just cannot get behind
I did enjoy reading this book, though I think some plot points were added purely for shock value or out of some weird fixation. I understand using said events as a catalyst to Reiko’s most recent relapse, but it was an interesting decision to say the least. Murakami your kinks are fine and dandy, just leave them to the adults. There could be a larger discussion for classics like Norwegian Wood, and whether or not these plot elements are deliberate, taboo choices made by the author to further the novel’s impact (or again some fixation); that’s a conversation for another time. I could have simply done without and find it off-putting the way it was discussed. Yes, I’m aware this book was published in ‘87.
I loved Midori’s character. I thought she was unlike any character I’ve ever read. Her dimension and inner monologue (that she frequently vocalized) shows her own inner turmoil and coming of age story. I thought she was beautifully and hilariously written.
4* originally, the Reiko bit I just cannot get behind
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide