NORWEGIAN WOOD
By Haruki Murakami (1987)
Translated by Jay Rubin
Published by Vintage in 2003
386 pages
This is the first book written in english I've ever read completely and as this book is a good read, I will write my review here. Okay this is also my first book review ever.
The story was about Toru Watanabe, a young Japanese boy who fell in love to Naoko, his dead-bestfriend's girl. Naoko's boyfriend, Kizuki, killed himself once he was 17 years old. Since that time, Naoko and Toru had never seen each other for about two years, and they met again accidentally in Tokyo where both of them studied in university.
Seeing each other in a new ambience, Naoko--who was still shocked and haunted with Kizuki's death-- and Toru spent weekends together. They walk aimless and enjoy their quiet togetherness. Naoko spoke a little and keeping what she thought only in her mind but Toru was so happy being with her. On Naoko's twentieth birthday, they celebrated it together in Naoko's flat and made love. Toru left Naoko's flat leaving a paper message in the morning while she was still sleeping and since that time, Naoko disappeared from Toru's life and he lost her trail.
At the same time, Toru befriended his drama classmate, Midori Kobayashi whose father owned a small bookstore. Unlike Naoko, Midori was a lively character. She was fun, open, curious and confident. Midori was an experimental girl who always invited Toru to join her 'new' activities. She was interested in Toru and he spent days with her after Naoko left without news.
Later Toru received Naoko's letter saying that she was put in an asylum to calm herself from everything happened, Kizuki's death and her relationship with Toru, and she invited Toru to come. This asylum was more like a relaxation and independent place hid behind beautiful pine forest in remote Japan. Toru, Naoko and Reiko--Naoko's roommate-- spent some happy days together in that place . Naoko's condition was very good and at that point Toru asked her to live together with him.
This story title was inspired by The Beatles' song 'Norwegian Wood, the Bird has Flown' in album Rubber Soul. This song tells about a boy who fell in love to a girl but things aren't going easy. Just like the story in this book, Toru's love to Naoko found obstacles, mostly from each character's inner personality itself. We can see here youth's unstable emotion and mind and how different characters find their way out of the problems.
Murakami is a realistic writer, he describes many things in detail, sometimes too much. I can easily picture the pine forest and feel the beauty of it. Murakami also describe love and pain very well that I can imagine how it hurts you so much losing people you love. But one thing, I still can't understand why those people suicide easily. I will say this more a culture than anything else, as I heard that Japanese have the highest rate for suicide.
The English translation of this book is easy to understand so that an intermediate English user won't be inconvenience reading the book (like alternate between the book and a dictionary). However, I suggest child readers not to touch this book as many sexual scenes are detailed written. There may also be a cultural gap exists between the author and readers that people who think 'free' lifestyle is not a good way to live stay away from this book.
At last, if I can name this book in a word, I will choose 'inconclusive'. Many things remained mysteries within the books. Death came in a sudden without reason and explanation, and somewhat we know, as Murakami wanted to tell us through Toru's mind,"Death exists, not as the opposite but as a part of a life."
By Haruki Murakami (1987)
Translated by Jay Rubin
Published by Vintage in 2003
386 pages
This is the first book written in english I've ever read completely and as this book is a good read, I will write my review here. Okay this is also my first book review ever.
The story was about Toru Watanabe, a young Japanese boy who fell in love to Naoko, his dead-bestfriend's girl. Naoko's boyfriend, Kizuki, killed himself once he was 17 years old. Since that time, Naoko and Toru had never seen each other for about two years, and they met again accidentally in Tokyo where both of them studied in university.
Seeing each other in a new ambience, Naoko--who was still shocked and haunted with Kizuki's death-- and Toru spent weekends together. They walk aimless and enjoy their quiet togetherness. Naoko spoke a little and keeping what she thought only in her mind but Toru was so happy being with her. On Naoko's twentieth birthday, they celebrated it together in Naoko's flat and made love. Toru left Naoko's flat leaving a paper message in the morning while she was still sleeping and since that time, Naoko disappeared from Toru's life and he lost her trail.
At the same time, Toru befriended his drama classmate, Midori Kobayashi whose father owned a small bookstore. Unlike Naoko, Midori was a lively character. She was fun, open, curious and confident. Midori was an experimental girl who always invited Toru to join her 'new' activities. She was interested in Toru and he spent days with her after Naoko left without news.
Later Toru received Naoko's letter saying that she was put in an asylum to calm herself from everything happened, Kizuki's death and her relationship with Toru, and she invited Toru to come. This asylum was more like a relaxation and independent place hid behind beautiful pine forest in remote Japan. Toru, Naoko and Reiko--Naoko's roommate-- spent some happy days together in that place . Naoko's condition was very good and at that point Toru asked her to live together with him.
This story title was inspired by The Beatles' song 'Norwegian Wood, the Bird has Flown' in album Rubber Soul. This song tells about a boy who fell in love to a girl but things aren't going easy. Just like the story in this book, Toru's love to Naoko found obstacles, mostly from each character's inner personality itself. We can see here youth's unstable emotion and mind and how different characters find their way out of the problems.
Murakami is a realistic writer, he describes many things in detail, sometimes too much. I can easily picture the pine forest and feel the beauty of it. Murakami also describe love and pain very well that I can imagine how it hurts you so much losing people you love. But one thing, I still can't understand why those people suicide easily. I will say this more a culture than anything else, as I heard that Japanese have the highest rate for suicide.
The English translation of this book is easy to understand so that an intermediate English user won't be inconvenience reading the book (like alternate between the book and a dictionary). However, I suggest child readers not to touch this book as many sexual scenes are detailed written. There may also be a cultural gap exists between the author and readers that people who think 'free' lifestyle is not a good way to live stay away from this book.
At last, if I can name this book in a word, I will choose 'inconclusive'. Many things remained mysteries within the books. Death came in a sudden without reason and explanation, and somewhat we know, as Murakami wanted to tell us through Toru's mind,"Death exists, not as the opposite but as a part of a life."
She nodded yaa.,,, hahaha
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