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A review by richardbakare
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
5.0
Haruki Murakami’s “Norwegian Wood” is a love story that is rooted in the male perspective. That said, it makes an earnest attempt to show the deeply flawed way men try to understand women. Especially, as it relates to trying to “fix her.” A theme that Murakami hits upon throughout the novel. The same core analysis also gets turned on its head at points. Murakami asks us, through the multiple “what do you want” conversations, if anyone can ever really understand themselves.
These simple questions and more are explored in a world brought to life in painstaking detail. Murakami’s way of creating environments you get fully immersed in is almost without equal. In this one, music, food, and literature make this fictional story more tactile. Once the environment is established, he effortlessly pulls you into the most sensitive topics through his characters’ words and actions. The experiences become psychologically engrossing and cause you to slip between reading and reliving your own life.
I wished I could have experienced Toru’s love-worn journey when I was about the same point in life. This coming-of-age story has some perspective-shifting lessons on understanding others and oneself that a young mind needs to know. Especially when still finding your place in the world. I know much of its dialogue and character interactions will seem far-fetched and dated today. However, it challenges us to face the world as it is, and remains timeless in doing so.
I simply could not put this book down. In fact, I realize that everything else in the world blurs out while I’m engrossed in a Murakami novel. I fully see why this one in particular is the quintessential Murakami book loved by millions over. Even today, this mid-century Tokyo story seems universally accessible and relevant. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to pick up my next Murakami book.
These simple questions and more are explored in a world brought to life in painstaking detail. Murakami’s way of creating environments you get fully immersed in is almost without equal. In this one, music, food, and literature make this fictional story more tactile. Once the environment is established, he effortlessly pulls you into the most sensitive topics through his characters’ words and actions. The experiences become psychologically engrossing and cause you to slip between reading and reliving your own life.
I wished I could have experienced Toru’s love-worn journey when I was about the same point in life. This coming-of-age story has some perspective-shifting lessons on understanding others and oneself that a young mind needs to know. Especially when still finding your place in the world. I know much of its dialogue and character interactions will seem far-fetched and dated today. However, it challenges us to face the world as it is, and remains timeless in doing so.
I simply could not put this book down. In fact, I realize that everything else in the world blurs out while I’m engrossed in a Murakami novel. I fully see why this one in particular is the quintessential Murakami book loved by millions over. Even today, this mid-century Tokyo story seems universally accessible and relevant. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to pick up my next Murakami book.