A review by cehknight
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

dark reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I was very surprised upon reading that this book is as popular as it is. This probably isn't an original point to make, but I got the sense that Murakami didn't run this book past any real-life women. I didn't feel anything towards the female (or male) characters, because they felt so hollow. This book is definitely a perspective of women through the male gaze, and it worries me that men would read this book and think it was indicative of a 'cool' way to view women. The narrative arc was good, I enjoyed the temporal structure most of all, but that's where my enjoyment ended. It was an easy read, however, and I hope upon reading more of Murakami's works that I find them easier to relate to. PSA: women don't wash their bras every night. It damages them. Ask any woman and she'll tell you.
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