Yay!! Finally I can claim that I have read a Haruki Murakami's book!
Many years ago, I bought the Wind-Up Bird Chronicles and I planned to read it as then I had sudden urges to read it. However, as soon as I had them, they quickly faded away, leaving me abandoning the book without even glancing the book on its first page. Haha, finally I can redeem myself, albeit in another book.
Norwegian Wood, which is named after the Beatles' song of the same title, is really a one hell of a well-spun tale. It is full to the brim of references to jazz music, other literary books (such as the Great Gatsby (which I'm reading now)), and films. Such tactics really make the book more atmospheric at times. It really works on me.
Just a gist: It is yet another coming-of-age tale of a young man, Toru Watanabe who studies in a University meeting a girl, Naoko, of about his age too who happens to be the girlfriend of one of his best friend, and falling in love with her. Then, something happens and leads the girl into depression. As Naoko voluntarily admits herself to a loose rehabilitation facility, Toru also happens to meet yet another girl, Midori, who attends the same course as he is and who also developed certain feelings towards him.
The story is quite complicated than what is briefly explained above. Generally, I did find this book depressing at times. It is a very sad story. I could feel the sadness, the loneliness experienced by the protagonist. Sometimes, the sadness could linger after I put the book away for a break. If this happened, I had to listen to some sad songs to make the sadness bearable. That is how effective Murakami's writings are I tell you!! It was a heartbreaking story. Despite of all this, the story does retain certain hope. As such, don't feel despair yet!
When I was reading the book, other books (which are not referenced in the book) did creep up on my mind. One of them is the Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Shadow of The Wind. It could be that in one of the chapters, it involves the main characters, Watanabe taking a tram to a location. Well, the descriptions of the streets and of going somewhere decrepit and isolated do bring the atmospheric narratives of the Shadow of The Wind to my mind.
Besides, Norwegian Wood does make me think of other books particularly Paul Auster's books. Although I have yet to read Paul Auster's books, I have to say the story writings in this book does resemble that of Paul Auster's. This is because the story in this book does in some ways resemble a story-within-a-story kind of book. As such, it does also bring to my mind another similar book that I have read i.e. the Amnesiac by Sam Taylor which I like a lot.
Another thing is that Reiko, Naoko's roommate in the rehabilitation facility does resemble the lost girl in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo's book by Steig Larsson. If you read both of these books, you would understand what I mean :P
For some strangest reasons too, the author, Haruki, somehow had to include cats into the story! It makes the story more endearing yet surreal. I love cats too and I have to say cats do relate to loneliness as I have to admit sometimes that cats and loneliness go hand-in-hand! Lol..
In order to enjoy the book more, you may feel free to keep the book company with some mellow songs such as Beatles' ones like Norwegian Wood (of course..), Hey Jude, Bill Evans' piano renditions and Bach Fugue, to mention a few. Further listening: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2B08601D52EB975E
I also have to say that Jay Rubin has done a good job translating the book originally from Japanese. It is fluid and in my feelings, retains some of the real emotions that transpire in the original Japanese book.
Well, this sums up my review. If you happen to be reading this book or about to start this book, I wish that you enjoy this book to its fullest ;)
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