Summary of Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (Book Analysis)

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murukami is a classic work of modern literature, a story about loss, friendships, and the conflicted emotions of youth. It tells a story of Toru Watanabe, a college student in Tokyo in the late 1960s, who is haunted by memories of his first love, Naoko. Norweigan Wood follows Toru’s relationship with Naoko and his dealings with friends, younger and older, as he begins to find his way through life. Along with its beautiful lyrical prose, Toru’s story also captures the cultural changes in Japan and abroad during a time of immense social transformation. The novel is characterized by its melancholy and nostalgia, but also touches on themes of love, relationships, death, and the search for self-discovery. In the end, Toru must choose between the path of security and joy, or one of sorrow and heartache.