Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami

When Toru Watanabe hears his favourite Beatles song, Norwegian Wood, he is instantly transported back to his student days in Tokyo, 1969 — a time of change, longing, and heartbreak.

In this hauntingly beautiful novel, Haruki Murakami explores the fragile emotions of youth through Toru’s relationships with two very different women: Naoko, his first love, delicate and sorrowful; and Midori, an impulsive and vibrant force of life.

As Toru navigates a world filled with loss, desire, and self-discovery, he confronts the inescapable pain of growing up and the impossibility of holding on to the past.

A modern classic of world literature, Norwegian Wood is Murakami’s most accessible and emotionally direct novel, resonating with readers across generations for its honesty, melancholy, and poetic atmosphere.

Main Themes of the Book

• Love, loss, and emotional maturity
• Memory and the passage of time
• Isolation and mental health
• Youth, identity, and existential longing
• The search for meaning in an imperfect world

Why You Should Read This Book by Haruki Murakami

• Haruki Murakami’s most beloved and bestselling novel
• A timeless portrait of youth, love, and grief
• Evocative prose that blends music, nostalgia, and emotion
• Ideal for readers who enjoy Japanese literature and introspective storytelling
• A powerful introduction to Murakami’s unique literary voice

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami is a deeply moving exploration of love and memory that captures the pain and beauty of growing up. With its lyrical style and universal themes, it remains a masterpiece of modern literature — a novel that lingers in the heart long after the last page is turned.