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A review by leming
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
2.0
Trigger warning: suicide, depression, loss, rape, pedophilia, sexism/misogyny
If anyone is wondering what a male gaze is, make them read Murakami Haruki.
I know some of the criticism comes from the general whining/self-pity of the narrator but I think it is very intentionally done. This is a story about a boy literally becoming an adult, 17 years old to 20. This whole ?Ђ?I?Ђ?m so deep I have depression?Ђ? or ?Ђ?the whole world revolves around me and MY life is the hardest?Ђ? vibe very much captures what teenagers at that age would actually feel.
And it is so beautifully done. This is a story about loss. (In fact, it was published under the name of ?Ђ?times of loss?Ђ? in Korea) Murakami ever so beautifully describes how it feels like to lose someone you love, how it feels like to watch someone slowly dying both mentally and physically, and also how you would grow up amongst all. The writing is so exquisite it would leave you feeling so empty yet full of heart at the same time.
The characters are so vibrant and the storyline is actually really interesting. This is not a book you need to force yourself to read. You will want to read and keep reading! My absolute favourite was the roommate at the very start. What a fascinating character! And the way that the narrator describes him and later weaves him in the other stories is exquisite.
Having said that, there is a reason why I cannot give this book more than 2 stars. Simply put, Haruki does not have a clue about writing female characters. He is so frequently featured in Reddit?Ђ?s bad women?Ђ?s anatomy. In this book he literally said ?Ђ?women menstrate as men masterbate?Ђ? seriouly??? The book is filled with overtly sexualized female characters and unnecessary sex scenes every 10 pages. There is a lesbian sex scene in a pornographic detail that includes rape and a 13-year-old girl. The male gaze is so strong its physically repulsive. Its one thing that the main character is teenage boy who objectifies women but its another thing that the writer only views that women are first and foremost sexual objects and second plot devices for male characters?Ђ? development.
All in all, I think I could respect if anyone says they like this book. But I dont think I want to be friends with someone whose favourite book is this.
If anyone is wondering what a male gaze is, make them read Murakami Haruki.
I know some of the criticism comes from the general whining/self-pity of the narrator but I think it is very intentionally done. This is a story about a boy literally becoming an adult, 17 years old to 20. This whole ?Ђ?I?Ђ?m so deep I have depression?Ђ? or ?Ђ?the whole world revolves around me and MY life is the hardest?Ђ? vibe very much captures what teenagers at that age would actually feel.
And it is so beautifully done. This is a story about loss. (In fact, it was published under the name of ?Ђ?times of loss?Ђ? in Korea) Murakami ever so beautifully describes how it feels like to lose someone you love, how it feels like to watch someone slowly dying both mentally and physically, and also how you would grow up amongst all. The writing is so exquisite it would leave you feeling so empty yet full of heart at the same time.
The characters are so vibrant and the storyline is actually really interesting. This is not a book you need to force yourself to read. You will want to read and keep reading! My absolute favourite was the roommate at the very start. What a fascinating character! And the way that the narrator describes him and later weaves him in the other stories is exquisite.
Having said that, there is a reason why I cannot give this book more than 2 stars. Simply put, Haruki does not have a clue about writing female characters. He is so frequently featured in Reddit?Ђ?s bad women?Ђ?s anatomy. In this book he literally said ?Ђ?women menstrate as men masterbate?Ђ? seriouly??? The book is filled with overtly sexualized female characters and unnecessary sex scenes every 10 pages. There is a lesbian sex scene in a pornographic detail that includes rape and a 13-year-old girl. The male gaze is so strong its physically repulsive. Its one thing that the main character is teenage boy who objectifies women but its another thing that the writer only views that women are first and foremost sexual objects and second plot devices for male characters?Ђ? development.
All in all, I think I could respect if anyone says they like this book. But I dont think I want to be friends with someone whose favourite book is this.