• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Vintage
• Language: English
• Translator: Jay Rubin
• Norwegian Wood at Amazon.com

The Plot: Set in the late 1960s, the novel recounts Toru Watanabe’s experiences as a college freshman living in Tokyo. Although he refers to himself as “ordinary,” Toru’s honesty, intelligence, and detached tendencies would suggest otherwise. When Toru reconnects with Naoko, a beautiful yet enigmatic girl from his past, their romantic development becomes marred by past tragedies. But as he yearns for Naoko, Toru can’t help but be drawn to vivacious and sexually-liberated Midori at the same time. It’s a story of love, loss, and the emotional maturation of a young man.

I started this book with high expectations. After all, this is the book that catapulted Haruki Murakami to Japanese super-stardom status! I mean, it’s definitely impressive for a writer to go from a six-figure readership to millions of people from the publication of one book. So naturally, I expected nothing short of amazing from this book, especially since I moderately enjoyed Sputnik Sweetheart and fell in love with Kafka on the Shore.

To be honest, it’s nothing like I thought it would be. While not necessarily a bad thing, it’s quite different from the other Murakami books I’ve read, which is probably why I initially thought the progress rather slow. Yet it soon became apparent that I was wrong. What it lacks in adventure and mystery, Norwegian Wood more than makes up for in heart. Instead of merely stepping into the character’s shoes, I felt like I was in Toru’s head. There are scenes that end up striking such a deep chord in me, so beautiful and emotional! Heart-wrenching moments, solemn sadness, thoughtful introspection, and even laugh-out-loud absurdity and humor!

There’s no doubt about it: Murakami is Master of the Mundane, the “boring” everyday stuff that a lot of writers overlook when they write. And for some reason, they seem so much more interesting through his interpretation! I think it’s those little stuff that he interjects here and there that make Toru, Naoko, and Midori THAT much more strikingly realistic and unforgettable.

All in all, a wonderfully heart-tugging read.

Reviewer’s note: It’s no coincidence that the novel shares its title with the Beatles song “Norwegian Wood.” Murakami’s books are so heavily Westernized that it’s sometimes hard to believe that the plots take place in Japan. You can definitely see the effects of Western imperialism in Japan through his works.

Reviewed by Theresia