“I straightened up and looked out of the window at the dark clouds hanging over the North Sea, thinking of all I had lost in the course of my life: times gone forever, friends who had died and disappeared, feelings I would never know again.” – Toru Watanabe, Norwegian Wood

The story is about the psychological growth of a man named Toru Watanabe, who narrates the whole story of his past young-self in the backdrop of 1960s Japan. However, does the man ever overcome the loss of the past? it is up to the readers to discover.

This is more of an’ coming of age’ novel than simple past reflection where we will see how young Watanabe goes through failed relationships, lost friends, strange connections, detachment, pessimism, rendezvous, amoral pursuits as we all in our young self, more or less pass through. For some people these problems hit harder, some survive, some even strive, although carrying a vague knot in the heart that keeps hurting in our adulthood.

But the story will not make you drowsy with dull pains, rather the everyday life of the young characters within very easy going narrative might thrill you and entice a feeling of nostalgia.

 

The reasons why you should give it a try:

· Haruki Murakmai is one of the very few famous Japanese writers whose writings are celebrated all over the world.

· Although this is written by a Japanese writer, the cultural atmosphere is highly American. This is quite insightful of how the cultural in Japan gradually become western.

· This is devoid of any hard literary devices, rather narrated in simpler terms, even with slangs and jargons giving the story a life-like language.

· You will get to know a number of characters with interesting traits exposing the ugly truths and beauty of human emotions.

· If you are interested in studying post-modernism, this novel is a prime material for that.

 

Seedratul Muntaha

Contributor

Writer's Club BD