Finally I finished reading Norwegian Wood. I didnt give much time for reading, thats why it took me such a long time to finish. Regardless, I really like this book. The story is strong and play with my imagination. As I am recommending this book, it would be worthwhile to write a review as well.


Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Looking at the title, it leads us to one of The Beatles song by the name of Norwegian Wood. Sets in around 1969, Japan, the story focuses on 18 - 20 years old age life of an “ordinary” Japanese student named Watanabe. Ordinary explains second rate university, making living out of part time job, and usual personal habits such as reading books and doing laundry every Sunday. While these ordinaries form their characteristics, they brought us through their companionship into something less ordinary. Or I might say something emotionally engaging and enjoyable.


While having his university life in Tokyo, Watanabe encountered his dead best friend’s ex girlfriend unexpectedly. Naturally they started to form kind of special relationship, including walking around streets in Tokyo without any destinations on minds with distance in between. As they grew closer, strange calling got the girl away. Yet they were still in touch, understanding and encouraging each other. The relationship that they build is so pure and sweet. They don’t have to say a lot, yet they are dependant on each other. They need each other. The story seems kind this way, but actually there is much darker shade. Trying to put it simply; this book is about relationships with all of the specialties, highlighting the qualities of each individual while strongly influenced by the past time. Trying to put it harder; this book is about life and death.


Having had someone close to them dead, they are constantly living in the shadow of the death. In my opinion, the only thing that keeps them together as well as they’ve been fighting against is death and all kinds of its self destructive fears. Sounds very depressing? When you read it, it won’t be depressing, it will be normal because understanding will come eventually.


Along the stories, I’ve found a lot of things, that when I read them, I got hints of familiarity and could not agree more kind of feelings. That’s why I stated that this book is emotionally engaging. I feel like this book is an imaginative channel taking me travels through each part of stories with real emotions involved. Bravo Mr. Murakami, simple story line, yet so well written.


***

After battling with death, Watanabe comes to a peace of mind as he concludes,
Death exists, not as the opposite but as a part of life.