My Review of Murakami's Norwegian Wood

Norwegian Wood is a novel by Haruki Murakami, a famous Japanese author. It is a story of love, loss, and growing up in the 1960s. The main character is Toru Watanabe, a college student who remembers his past relationships with two very different women: Naoko and Midori.

Naoko is beautiful but troubled girl who was the girlfriend of Toru's best friend, Kizuki, who killed himself when they were in high school. Toru and Naoko share a bond of grief and loneliness, but Naoko is unable to cope with life and ends up in a mental hospital. Toru visits her often and promises to wait for her, but he also feels drawn to Midori, a lively and outspoken girl who is his classmate. Midori challenges Toru to open up and live in the present, but she also has her own problems and secrets.

The novel explores the themes of memory, nostalgia, and regret, as Toru reflects on his youth and the choices he made. It also shows the contrast between the traditional and modern values of Japan, as well as the political and social turmoil of the 1960s. The novel is named after a Beatles song that Naoko likes, and music plays an important role in the story.

I liked the novel because it was very well-written and realistic. The characters were complex and believable, and I could relate to their emotions and struggles. The novel was also very descriptive and atmospheric, and I felt like I was transported to the places and times that Toru described. The novel was not very fast-paced or action-packed, but it was very engaging and captivating.

However, the novel was also very sad and depressing, and sometimes I felt frustrated with the characters and their decisions. The novel did not have a clear or happy ending, and it left me with a lot of questions and feelings. The novel was also very long and sometimes repetitive, and it could have been shorter and more concise.

Overall, I would recommend the novel to anyone who likes literary fiction, romance, and Japanese culture. It is a beautiful and melancholic story that will make you think and feel. However, be prepared for some heavy and dark themes, and do not expect a simple or satisfying conclusion. It is a novel that will stay with you for a long time.