04: NORWEGIAN WOOD by Haruki Murakami

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Haruki Murakami Challenge playlist:
• Haruki Murakami Challenge
#leafbyleaf #bookreview #harukimurakami #norwegianwood

[@sherlockfan2000]

Glad you enjoyed Norwegian Wood just as much as you did the first time you read it. I first read Norwegian Wood back when I was in my early to mid twenties, & just like Toru in the book, was just beginning to get to grips with the adult world, & it made a huge impact on me. I've seen so many coming of age stories over the years, but Norwegian Wood was the most realistic & heartbreaking portrayal of what it's like when you first reach adulthood & finally have to come to terms with the harsh realities of the world around you, particularly the struggle with the feelings of depression & isolation from the people around you, that many young adults are struggling to deal with everyday. My heart broke for both Toru & Naoko many times throughout the book.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Hello! Great to meet another fan of this one. You’ve described it perfectly. I’ve many people in my life who struggle with anxiety and depression and isolationism. This book had real emotion, real feeling. It defies the rest of his output.

[@billcaddell3848]

A great read, this is a serious book about life, mental illness, emotions, and the twists and turns of life in general. A great read for anyone.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Hear, hear!

[@griffendurrett7302]

Just read this, one of the most moving and wounding experiences I’ve ever had with a work of art. Beautifully bittersweet.

[@austinparrish5255]

Thank you for making the first video review that did this book justice. Definitely earned a sub!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks very much! Glad to hear from someone else who got this one.

[@nick40oz58]

Jesus dude, you’re library is unrivaled

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Haha, thanks! I must say, however, if you watch a library tour of Jonny Keen mine will be very humbled. (It appears he has some years on me, though.)

[@gmcenroe]

Norwegian Wood was the first Murakami book that I read. I loved this one and since then have read all of his nonfiction books except his short stories that I am reading now. Wind up Bird Chronicles , 1Q84 and Killing Commendatore are my other favorites of his even though there are some side plots in Wind Up Bird Chronicles.

[@shadowfox6429]

Loved your review of the book. Just finished reading it last night and it broke me. Also love the Library, that is seriously impressive.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Always glad to meet a fellow appreciator of this oft overlooked gem of HM’s repertoire! Complimenting my library is on par with complimenting my child-so a sincere thank you!

[@beyondtheepilogueagnes]

Despite my general skepticism about Murakami, you’ve actually managed to convince me to give this one a try. That is how good this review is :) Thanks!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thank you so much! It’s definitely the one one I’ve enjoyed so far.

[@seonaanntom3751]

I think Toru called Midori when he was 37 at the airport....When he reached airport and then all his memories are back and he is stuck in his 20s...... Suddenly he may have an urge to call Midori and to start a new life.....And it was when Midori asked him where he was .....he realized that he was in his fantasy all these years. ......He had not reached anywhere but was in the middle of a bunch of unknown people .Then he relised that he had no one expect Midori....that is why he called HER from the dead centre or his empty heart......Midori was always a girl of life and breath..... and lets hope he began a new life with Midori

[@seethe-]

I don't think this is the case here's why: At the end he was finally able to sleep with another woman besides Naoko. That's how he left his past behind, he did it with the help of Reiko. And at the same time he helped Reiko to leave her past behind. Both of them took a new step for a brighter future. After Reikos departure he is now able to get together with Midori with a clear mind. When he calls her he becomes overwhelmed by his feelings resulting in in him to be disoriented and alienated by the people around him. Which reminds me of following scene: ''I twisted open the lid of the jar and took the firefly out, setting it on the two-inch lip of the water tank. It seemed not to grasp its new surroundings. It hobbled around the head of a steel bolt, catching its legs on curling scabs of paint. It moved to the right until it found its way blocked, then circled back to the left. Finally, with some effort, it mounted the head of the bolt and crouched there for a while, unmoving, as if it had taken its last breath. Still leaning against the handrail, I studied the firefly. Neither I nor it made a move for a very long time. The wind continued sweeping past the two of us while the numberless leaves of the zelkova tree rustled in the darkness. I waited forever. Only much later did the firefly take to the air. As if some thought had suddenly come to it, the firefly spread its wings, and in a moment it had flown past the handrail to float in the pale darkness. It traced a swift arc by the side of the water tank as if trying to bring back a lost interval in time. And then, after hovering there for a few seconds as if to watch its curved line of light blend into the wind, it finally flew off to the east.'' The second option (yours) in my opinion doesn't add up. Okay let's assume Toru is in fact 37 years old in Hamburg and is calling Midori..... how the fuck does he have her number ? ? ? And how weird would it be for him after 17 years finally wanting to be with her + Midoris response with that time gap of 17 years wouldnt make any sense. The only thing open for interpretation, is if Midori and Toru got back together after the phone call. In my opinion they certainly did because Midori always loved him that's a fact. Toru at this point in time is finally leaving his past behind and also tells her ''All I want in this world is you'' which was literally Midoris only condition for them both to be together. It makes the ending wonderful and perfect. I love this book so much.

[@hoykfnvnnesnxnnensncjforkx1616]

While I don't agree with how you feel on his works (I think he's one of my favorites) I love your reviews and how you discuss books. Great content

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! Even when I do a "negative review" I try my best to keep it substantive. Which Murakami is your favorite?

[@hoykfnvnnesnxnnensncjforkx1616]

@@LeafbyLeaf with short stories I like men without women and for books I love South of the border west of the sun.

[@nemesispang]

Your Murakami's challenge has encouraged me to go through Norwegian Wood again 20 years after my first attempt. The frustration and isolation felt by each character (including Nagasawa, in my opinion) were detailed, convincing and genuine. Despite the mentioning of Great Gatsby, I feel Murakami was more inspired by Catcher in the rye; Watanabe resembles Holden to some extent. The latest translation by Jay Rubin does a splendid job too. There have been other established Japanese authors writing about inner struggles in autobiographic fashion. I guess it has already evolved as a major genre in their tradition, casting a palpable impact on their pop culture as well. Somehow I think Murakami has suffered from the anxiety of influence LOL That may explain his determination to continue his creative endeavour in a more “automatic writing” style.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks for all your input! I have since learned that the 20th-century Japanese novel took a turn towards what they call the "I" novel (sort of like today's European autofiction: e.g. Knausgård), and Murakami swerved away from it (as you say: anxiety of influence). I definitely see Holden in Watanabe. For me, this is the only one of his novels (so far) that evokes genuine human emotion and has a clear trajectory (though I've found that the muddled, make-it-up-as-you-go plot trajectory is deliberate). Anyhow, let me know how NW strikes you all these years later!

[@nemesispang]

@@LeafbyLeaf I enjoyed every page of NW but couldn’t resonate as much as I did (because of my age LOL). Personally, I think his best works are the more recent ones -Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage and First Person Singular - which demonstrate his strength in the realistic and imaginative reins respectively. To me Murakami presents an interesting case as an author. He has vast knowledge and exposure to music, literature and culture. He is an acute observer of both external and inner worlds, showcased in his books about the subway sarin attack and his jogging routine. As a novelist, however, he seems to be concerned about a narrow scope of themes/characters/events. And he is apparently pleased with his limitations.

[@marinamaccagni5253]

Awesome! "Norwegian wood"! I reader all murakami's novels! The best for me are "norwegian wood" of course "colorless tsukuru takami" and "South of the border, west of the sun". The less weird and quirky books actually. Also interesting "the art of running" and "the job of writing".

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I’ll be reading South of the Border next. If you liked it I probably will too!

[@marinamaccagni5253]

I was looking forward to your new book review! Really!

[@artyabbey2003]

Just finished this book and wow... think i’ve found my new favourite author! I don’t want to watch the rest of your videos on Murakami so as to not spoil anything, but do you have a recommendation on which of his novels i should read next? Loved this review :)

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Glad you enjoyed it too! I’ve only read the first 9 of HM’s novels, and while South of the Border... is the only one that’s sort of like NW, none of them comes close for me. Wind-Up Bird is his most popular and it’s pretty good. Next up for me is Kafka on the Shore and I’ve got good expectations for it. Nice to meet you!

[@isolatedyear]

Love your channel!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@TheCollidescopePodcast]

Great excerpt but I wonder if you simply sold it with your wonderful delivery. Realism often bores me so I hope you can recommend one of his other wackier books as you continue this Murakami journey.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks, George! I’m very close to reading his two books cited most often as the best-Wind-up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore. We shall see!

[@ks-hn9he]

I just finished this book yesterday, it was the first Murakami book I have read. I had no idea what the theme was about except “love and life”. But man... this book really affected me. Maybe it affected me so hard since I had no idea that it would deal with such heavy and important topics in such a raw way. Do you have any books you would recommend given that I really enjoyed this book?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

It sounds like you and I had the same experience. I, too, had never read HM before, and I, too, didn’t really know anything about it. And I distinctly remember the strong feelings it stirred within me, very hard to put into words. It was so affecting that I can put myself right back in the reading chair on those nights. Some similar books, in terms of feeling: A huge influence on this book was Great Gatsby. I favor Miss Lonelyhearts. There’s a more conventional novel called Snow Falling on Cedars that always stuck with me. That’s all that comes to mind right now.

[@tobsi2256]

I am very late to this but have not seen anyone mentioning this: the part you read is adapted from a short story Murakami wrote. It's published as Firefly in the short story anthology "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". It was changed here. Man-Eating Cats became part of Sputnik Sweetheart, I think. The origin story to Wind-Up-Bird is included there, too. Please continue this challenge. I'd love to hear your thoughts on more recent Murakami books, since you are one of the most-well read persons whose videos I watch.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks for adding this input, Tobias! Coincidentally, a lot of people have implored me to check out HM's short fiction, with the most cited collection being The Elephant Vanishes. Thanks for the encouragement to continue this challenge; it's definitely something very unique to my reading life. Happy reading!

[@TheAtmousphere]

What’s wrong with drinking 17 cups of coffee? I remember drinking close to 12 when I had calculus finals. Now I need coffee to sleep because it no longer does nothing to me.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Whoa-that’s a lot of coffee! Nothing wrong with it, of course. (Unless you’re like me and prone to anxiety and migraines, alas.)

[@aracelivelasco2676]

What is your interpretation of the last two paragraphs?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

It's been some years since I last read it, so I only remember the sense of loss and heartache. I'll need to reread those two paragraphs as soon as I'm home and get back to you.

[@seethe-]

At the end he was finally able to sleep with another woman besides Naoko. That's how he left his past behind, he did it with the help of Reiko. And at the same time he helped Reiko to leave her past behind. Both of them took a new step for a brighter future. After Reikos departure he is now able to get together with Midori with a clear mind. When he calls her he becomes overwhelmed by his feelings resulting in in him to be disoriented and alienated by the people around him. Which reminds me of following scene: ''I twisted open the lid of the jar and took the firefly out, setting it on the two-inch lip of the water tank. It seemed not to grasp its new surroundings. It hobbled around the head of a steel bolt, catching its legs on curling scabs of paint. It moved to the right until it found its way blocked, then circled back to the left. Finally, with some effort, it mounted the head of the bolt and crouched there for a while, unmoving, as if it had taken its last breath. Still leaning against the handrail, I studied the firefly. Neither I nor it made a move for a very long time. The wind continued sweeping past the two of us while the numberless leaves of the zelkova tree rustled in the darkness. I waited forever. Only much later did the firefly take to the air. As if some thought had suddenly come to it, the firefly spread its wings, and in a moment it had flown past the handrail to float in the pale darkness. It traced a swift arc by the side of the water tank as if trying to bring back a lost interval in time. And then, after hovering there for a few seconds as if to watch its curved line of light blend into the wind, it finally flew off to the east.'' The only thing open for interpretation, is if Midori and Toru got back together after the phone call. In my opinion they certainly did because Midori always loved him that's a fact. Toru at this point in time is finally leaving his past behind and also tells her ''All I want in this world is you'' which was literally Midoris only condition for them both to be together. It makes the ending wonderful and perfect. I love this book so much.

[@aracelivelasco2676]

@@seethe- Thank you!! 💗💫

[@yinumzhou]

What do you think of the negative review this book receives from female reviewers?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I'm not familiar with those reviews, but I could certainly see why.

[@liquidpebbles7475]

Damn, one of the few books I have stopped reading, idk, I loved the book right up until he went to where the girl was staying and it kinda lost me completely, idk if it was the place or the cringy sex but I had enough lol Might have to give it a second chance but that will have to wait until I read everything else I want to read so maybe 20 years from now lol however in that list there are 3 murakami books (19q4, wind up and Kafka on the shore) so looking forward to those reviews

[@LeafbyLeaf]

LOL! I think this one captured me too because of my sensitivity to those with mental illnesses. (Not implying that you are insensitive.) I’m looking forward to some upcoming Murakamis that people seem to really love!