NORWEGIAN WOOD
Haruki Murakami, Vintage Books, US$13
A tragic love story of sorts, Norwegian Wood is the fifth novel by Haruki Murakami, published in 1987.
Set in Japan in the 1960s, the book illustrates the life of Toru Wantanabe who plunges into a world of isolation and independence after the unexpected suicide of his best friend Kizuki. Together with Kizuki’s girlfriend Naoko, the trio was the best of friends until the age of 17, when the shocking suicide of Kizuki also led to the “death” of Toru as a person, who then struggles to find meaning in life.
Sharing a common loss, Naoko and Toru find comfort in each other and their love starts to blossom as he starts university. However, citing signs of depression, Naoko sends Toru a letter telling him she needs time alone in a sanitarium.
Confused and alone, Toru goes though the motion of university life and as time passes, he tries to forget her by indulging in casual sex and alcohol. A combination that proves meaningless to him after a while.
It’s at this point where Toru meets a classmate, Midori, an independent and grounded girl with short hair who intrigues him somewhat. The total opposite of Toru, himself, he is attracted to her and they start going out.
However, Murakami’s story starts to turn for Toru. He receives a letter from Naoko to go and visit her in the asylum, making the long and scenic journey through the mountainous hill of Kyoto. There, he meets Reiko, Naoko’s roommate and confidante, learning that it is here Naoko finds solace, away from pain and bad memories that await outside those walls.
During subsequent visits, Toru tries to find out more about the nightmares tormenting Naoko and more is revealed to him about her bitter past. Meanwhile, he is torn between his love for Naoko and Midori. In a tragic turn of events, Toru is plunged even deeper into sadness and misery after receiving a letter Reiko, which prompts him to wander around Japan aimlessly, searching for answers.
Murakami leaves the reader drawing their own analogies as deep thought and meaning is embedded in his simple, down-to-earth language.
Peter Rajendran
