A review by jarshi
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I am always astounded by Murakami's ability to write these really compelling monologues about loneliness and suffering. And even though he uses his characters as glorified mouthpieces for his own ideas about society (which I find somewhat pretentious), I respect him as a writer and find his incorporation of magical realism to be entertaining and interesting.

As someone who reads a lot of Japanese literature, I feel like I can’t escape Murakami because he’s probably the most popular and accessible Japanese author out there. And whenever I read his books, I feel that I’m finally starting to understand Murakami as a writer and what he wants to convey…

…and then… he will write… the most insane unnecessary shit you have ever read in your entire life and I feel the rage of a thousand suns within me. Seriously, what is his deal?
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