words by Katerina Ouzouni
Haruki Murakami, a writer celebrated for his surreal and critically acclaimed fiction, crafted Norwegian Wood (1987) as a departure — a deeply realistic and poignant coming-of-age story. The novel invites us to join Toru Watanabe on an immersive journey through his past. Narrating from middle age, Toru reflects on his student years in 1960s Tokyo, a time defined by his quiet nature, deep sensitivity and the defining relationships that shaped him.
The novel’s title is no coincidence. The Beatles’ song of the same name serves as the emotional trigger for the entire narrative, unlocking a poignant and bittersweet chronicle of youth recalled through the protagonist’s introspection. Across its chapters, the reader engages with pivotal matters that form the path to adult life: reminiscence for the undefiled nature of youth, the practical and psychological trials and struggles of entering adulthood, the exploration and emancipation of sexuality, the lugubrious consideration of death, and the sensitive topic of mental health.
In contrast to most of his surreal works, here Murakami’s writing is utterly moving and emotionally perceptive, as he refers to common experiences and their impact on our psychological composition, showing clearly how these moments shape our outlook on the core meaning of life. Music has this enchanting ability to transport us to any moment of our lives, reviving memories of the past. In this case, each note of Norwegian Wood penetrates deeply into Toru’s heart, striking the tenderest and most fragile fibers of his inner world. It catalyzes emotional strain, urging him to deal with a wave of ambiguous emotions: a young man brimming with dreams, ready to love selflessly, eager to risk heartbreak for the sake of love gradually coming to terms with the responsibilities and burdens of life which force him to embrace the accountability of his choices and the path that lays ahead of him.
The sorrow and bereavement of loved ones, the personal contemplation of difficult emotions, the handling of this heavy psychological burden, and lasting mental trauma shapes the lives of the characters. Surely, Toru does not walk the arduous and steep path of life alone — his life corresponds to that of his cherished friend, Naoko, whose mental health has also been unsettled following the tragic suicide of someone close to her. Both being emotionally fragile and defenseless in the face of life’s blows, they attempt to get back on their tracks. Their grief intertwines and their feelings reflect each other as they endeavour to comfort one another. Murakami beautifully crafts a relationship that flourishes amidst the thorns of relentless life — two young people who dare to reveal their harsh feelings, take risks with their hearts, struggle with their inner darkness, and interact with each other through silence. Beyond the romantic side of their relationship, what is more significant and valuable is their gradual emotional maturation and how their interaction and communication assist them in managing their personal emotional worlds. To put it another way, Toru emboldens Naoko to share her thoughts with him without judgement, while in turn Naoko shows her willingness to confront him when he grapples with social isolation from his friends. An illuminating and definitely emotional moment is when Toru realises that Naoko’s life has reached a crucial stage and he becomes seriously concerned about her condition. His words show the deep and tender care he feels for Naoko: “Something inside me had dropped away, and nothing came in to fill the cavern”.
Grief has cast a shadow over the characters as Naoko ends up grappling with a serious psychological disorder that motivates her to search for treatment in a sanatorium in the countryside. Knowing the deeply embedded pain is ineradicable, she acknowledges that she will never be the same person she used to be. Hence, she does not prefer to compel herself to move on, but rather to stay at a “secure harbor’’. However, will she manage to go on and overcome these psychological difficulties or does life have a dark closure for her?
On the other hand, Toru seems to undergo an internal journey of acceptance, striving for peace. He is not entirely alone, as he has Midori — a fascinating and captivating girl whose presence sparks hope in him amidst his melancholic days. Toru is drawn to her innocence and she becomes his “spring bear”, moving unsteadily toward the light, guided by a tender kind of braver yet courageous spirit. He has strong feelings for her, and for this reason he almost “begs’’ for her presence. Will these two emotional worlds — that are superficially opposed — converge and emerge as a miracle?
Another pivotal core theme that develops over the trajectory of the novel is the conception of the nature of love. As Toru connects with the two girls in a unique way, his relationship with them attains a differentiated dynamic. Particularly with Naoko, he acquires a relationship filled with security, an intimate emotional bond and quietness, while with Midori Toru is given a wellspring of inner strength and vitality imbuing him with a sense of carefreeness and creativity. Eventually, Murakami shows that every person separately connects with another in a different way depending on the stage of their emotional, spiritual, and psychological maturation.
Murakami crafts, with highly emotional intelligence, the portrait of the protagonist Toru embodying every individual who unavoidably encounters the emotional pressure, challenges, and hardships that life presents. Toru deals with extreme emotional conditions such as the loss of a beloved friend and thus must learn to survive without his physical presence, face diverse dilemmas, and demonstrate his authentic and genuine feelings to others. All of these carry special significance while Toru is a student in an urban environment, facing an inner crisis about himself, his identity, and his emotional state. Simultaneously he quells the flames of deep concern about his future and what he will end up doing in his life. Toru’s character is ubiquitous as his crises resonate with innumerable individuals. Memory functions like a protective layer encapsulating all the daring and convoluted traces of Toru’s past life. It is not solely a gathering of memories and reflections, but rather an intangible connection that ties together past with present. Toru walks a precarious line between the distressing events of his youth and the maturity of his present life. The past throbs like a lingering scar and simultaneously it becomes the reason why he finds consolation and embraces human bondings.
The characters are subject to difficult situations, sometimes feeling utterly weak or even collapsing while embarking on a passage toward emancipation and reconciliation with themselves, wrestling to discover their own truth within life’s complexity to reassess necessities and reevaluate desires, as this is a powerful remedy to the cracks of human nature. This journey provides the opportunity to develop strong resilience and walk alongside oneself. In addition to that, the portrayal of the journey stands as an ally to fellow human beings. Sincerely, this book occupies a unique place and takes on a singular position among the many works of its author. The novel delineates the plot, a narrative forged in pain and suffering, and evolves it into the fruit of growth, maturation, and capacity for inner recovery. It cannot be considered a simple narration of events, as it offers a piercing look into the innermost depths of the human soul, exposing the endless and innumerable truths one can hide inside, within one’s heart. A strikingly authentic novel, it is filled with emotions that move the reader to tears while offering pearls of wisdom about life’s mysterious yet captivating journey.
In conclusion, memory is what links the gap between past and present — a deeply emotional bridge that allows Toru to venture into a sentimental and metaphorical journey through the moments of his lost youth. It enables him to contemplate his experiences, to absorb the insights, to work through his pain, to recognise the interplay of human relationships, to feel the gravity of seclusion, and to encounter bliss through authentic connections with others.