欧宝娱乐

I guess I understand what you mean. The story does look somewhat simplistic compared to his other works. Many of Murakami's short stories are perhaps more well-crafted than this novel. But this also happens to be my favorite. I guess for me it's more about the experience rather than the plot. For someone who used to stay away from potentially-depressing stories, I was surprised to get really drawn-in to this one. I think that there is subtle genius in this writing, something so evocative about it that actually made feel like there is beauty even in the protagonist's melancholy. Ironic as it may sound, it's this book that actually made me feel that Murakami's novels really stand out.

About the suicides, well I'd have to admit that I particularly didn't like those parts and they almost made me give up reading the book. But in the end, I still loved this book.

I really can't say how I'd have experienced this book had i read it myself instead of its being read to me, but I am happy whenever it encourages people to read his other novels, even if it's not representative to me of his other work. Maybe in five or so years, I'll reread it by myself and have a different perspective on it.

You've had it read to you? Wow, that must have taken quite a while. Is that with a reading group or something?

No, my partner read it to me. It didn't take much time, actually. He'd also read Wind-Up Bird aloud. I have vision problems that can't be corrected, so sometimes I need things read to me (the Kindle now helps with this). It's something we enjoy, though, since we have similar tastes in literature.

That sounds really sweet :)

I agree with you when you said Murakami Haruki himself was surprised by the upsurge in popularity on this book as compared to his others, even though it's considered to be his non-fictional and most "genuinely realistic" novels and my dislike for the main character and his love interest Naoko (both which I loathe) I am still excited to read Murakami's other works.

Japan has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world and perhaps those who feel "connected" with the characters in some way may have contemplated such a feat before or know someone who has one point in their life. I would have to say Midori and Reiko were my favorites but still even they lacked a bit of reality, Midori was too happy-go-lucky and Reiko seemed misplaced in the story, although she would be probably the only character that kept my interest as to finish the book itself.

Midori was my favorite character, though there was much too little of her. I agree that she wasn't a realistic character, but then my favorite characters from both Murakami's novels and short stories are never ones I can say remind me of people I know in real life. These oddballs exist only in his world, which is why I love returning to it.

I've known people who ended up committing suicide and have seriously considered it myself, but I suppose it was the way he wrote about it in a such a matter-of-fact manner that unsettled me. But as you note, since it reflects actual patterns in Japanese society, I shouldn't find suicide's being an answer for so many character in this book peculiar. But even as characters ended up cutting their own lives short, the book somehow still managed to drag on with no motivation for me to truly care for anyone's outcome. And without that, what's the point? It's as if the book itself needed therapy and antidepressants.

Totally what happened to me! This was the first book by Murakami I read, because someone recommeded it to me. I was utterly disappointed. I really didn't wanted to touch any other work by Murakami. Which one would you recommed to me?

Katia wrote: "Totally what happened to me! This was the first book by Murakami I read, because someone recommeded it to me. I was utterly disappointed. I really didn't wanted to touch any other work by Murakami...."

I'm glad you're giving him another chance despite the bad start. I'd suggest reading Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World if you don't mind a bit of a sci-fi vibe to your fiction or South Of The Border, West Of The Sun, if you want to read his most consistently strong novel (to me). Like Norwegian Wood, it also deals with unrequited love, but it makes me squirm to think of them compared. I wouldn't necessarily jump into The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: it's got the most to offer, but it's an uneven work. I hope that helps!

I should've read your comment before i read this book.

I actually identified more with Watanabe and Naoko. Alternately, I really disliked Midori. I can see why this book became so mainstream in Japan. Not only is it a seemingly simple love story but there is a lot that many Japanese people can relate to. Loneliness in an urban area with tons of people. Needing that one person for you. Also, for those who are sexually repressed, there's lots on that too. I don't know, even of you can't identify I think you can still enjoy the journey through it.

I see your point and I do recognize those aspects of the book that would appeal to others. It simply didn't resonate with me and not even because I can't appreciate struggling with loneliness in a big city or chronic depression. But for me, a book has to do more than deal with issues I identify with. I suppose it comes down to my not caring for the characters.

Disagree with your opinion this is my favorit Murakami book i realy liked all the charecters especialy Midorie and Toru i think it explored depression and suicied very effectivly,i undersood the dispair and sadness of two young people blaming them selfs for wht hapened.

finally i have found someone who shares my view on this book!!

So glad there's another Murakami fan who agrees with me! Hurray!

this is all i have read of him and i didn't like it at all. but he has such good reviews i want to give him another chance. what should i read of his considering i didn't like norwegian wood???

Hmm, having just reread South of the Border, West of the Sun and not been as enamored of it as I was the first time, I'd suggest Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. He creates a science fiction alternative reality that he only dips into in other works (but I haven't reread it, so it may not hold up). It's very rave of you to try another after not liking the first. It took me four years to give him another chance.

haha its just that he's so recommended. i actually don't really love science fiction stuff so not sure about that one...

Neither do I, don't worry. I almost never read science fiction (though I can't say never, as I did read a P.K. Dick book on the strong recommendation from a friend). I suppose it's a book you have to experience to understand. But I don't blame you for not being curious. I suppose the other books I'd recommend are "Wind-up Bird Chronicle" (though it's quite lengthy) or "Dance, Dance, Dance."

I would highly recommend 1Q84. I love that book, I think it's my all-time favorite. I also liked Sputnik Sweetheart. I should mention that while I started out not liking Norwegian Wood very much, it really grew on me. It's got a meditative sort of vibe to it. I liked all the characters. Even Stormtrooper! I think it was actually the suicides that first drew me in. That sounds weird, but it then became a sort of mystery. I wanted to know WHY. And of course it deals with Japanese culture in that way. Anyhow, I ended up really loving this one, but if its not your thing you could try 1Q84, Sputnik Sweetheart, or maybe even After Dark.

I just finished reading Norwegian Wood and the first thing that came into my mind was "what the hell?" Why is this book even the best seller and most popular among other Murakami's works. His other works are far much better and this is just meh. They even made a movie out of it and both Naoko (movie and book) is so annoying.

I love Midori and wish that she would end up with him right from he start. She is fun and crazy.

Midori was a great character: there wasn't nearly enough of her in the book.

well after reading norwegian wood, i did not only read his other works but i read the author himself.
not all the writers in this world can amuse all the readers in this world. people make their choices.
as he wrote in nw " if you read the books that everyone else reads, you will think what everyone else thinks". i am glad i read books that differ my though from you.

my understanding is the book was a blow-out success because it captured the post-war generation's mood (Japanese now in their 50s and up). the book felt confessional, or at the least, representative; and while striking a chord for millions then also affected other age-groups as well.

I see your point and certainly am fine with others having a different view of the work.

how's new york? do you like fresco tortilla?

I guess the story about the college roommate (or anything in this book) was not meant to make you laugh. It was from the perspective of a cynical youth who found everything futile and dismal. So it is more a reflection of his own gloomy world than a story about the others. If it indeed struck you as dark and disturbing, then in my opinion Murakami did his job very well

writers say that about their most famous books. Was it Lolita the author was embarrassed about? Please someone remind me. Maybe Clockwork Orange. Anyhow this is a lovely story even if not magical. If anyone saw the movie the same day furnishing the book, wonder if I'm the only one who thought Miduri looks just like Jessica Alba.

I believe you may have missed somethings in this book. For example, do you trust the perspective(s) of (the presumably depressed) Reiko..? And yes, the stories he tell are tragic, yet amuses people. Why? And why does that upset you? :)

I read this book about a year ago- and honestly it still haunts me. I can understand people's reaction to this book as being I suppose somewhat negative. Any book will not always be everyone's cup of tea- though that being said- it was a wonderful sip after sip after sip for me. As a man now being able to look back at my youth from the late 80s through early 2000s growing up in the subs of Detroit and college life in boston (no where near the time And place of this book) you might say how can one really relate to this book. But I did- Toru Watanabe's love for Naoko seemed to me to be so true because he was torn- he wanted to move on with his life- but he also knew he wanted and I suppose needed to take care of her. The ties we have when we are young kids are tied tight- though eventually as we all grow older know the strings fray above or below the knot and what was once disappears into the abyss of life. This book captures those moments so beautifully. When Midori enters the picture Watanabe is finally able to see out of the cloud that his life has been engulfed in- if only to realize it is still a fog he walks through. Life is always giving us choices and we have to live with the choices we make. This book is subtle and yet can live in your heart for years to come. Just as Watanabe comes to realize as his plane is landing at the beginning of the book. Some memories may fade- but the life you have lead can never really escape your heart.

I couldn't have said it better! Your summary of this book echoes my exact sentiments. I truly wanted to love this book but just couldn't understand all the hype.

I'm so glad to hear this! So many have told me I just don't get it. Perhaps I haven't, but I'm still allowed to think and feel about this book however I wish.

This is my first Murakami, and I can entirely understand why you wouldn't want it to be someone's first experience. It's not bad, by any means, and I've enjoyed it so far but it definitely isn't striking me as the "anything super special" that Murakami has been made out to be (in my mind at least). I'll still try one or two more before I write him of as "not my thing" though.

I just remember NW being his most unKafka-like novel. But it's still Murakami, so I couldn't help but enjoy it.

I have also just finished the book. This is my third book by the author. I was struck by the choices he made in constructing the narrative; for example, the lengthy dialogues that include a lot of detailed sex.... reiko's telling of her sexual encounter w a 13 year old girl was not only far fetched but also cheap. And the way Midori spoke to Watanabe just struck me as a fantasy for how a 20 year old guy WISHED a hot girl would talk/act as opposed to a true vision of kids interacting. Oddly, one of the best scenes to me was Watanabe taking care of her dying father for the day! I think I wanted more info about the dead friend. (KAzuki?) All that being whined about, I also did like the way it ended! (No spoilers)

I just finished reading it my first Murakami book btw, and I was in Japan a few months ago, and I watch a ton of Anime and read Manga too. So I can see why it's popular amongst the Japanese, my reasoning is thus: Japan has one of the highest number of suicides and the problem is no one really knows why there are so many, this book requires you to think about how Japan's idea of balance fits in, like how all the good must be balanced with bad a fairly zen idea. But the problem is that the story is first person, and you have to wonder why Kizuki and Naoko killed themselves, was it because Kizuki figured his cards were up when he couldn't do it with Naoko, and Naoko's depression from not knowing why he died and why he preferred to be in the company of Toru.

I think also since I'm sure a japanese person has had friends die on them they will have felt the same type of confusion of how to act and what to feel. Japanese have a habit of repressing their feelings to the point of suicide or going insane, this book helps them to show them the facts of this, Toru although 21 can only talk about facts because the book is leaving it up to the reader to make what they will from them, I its that bit more of flexibility which makes it interesting, as it allows me to figure out my position. I do agree that it makes him more duller, but at 20 I don't remember knowing what to do with all the facts presented to me, and I guess it's a guys book in that sense, at that age many guys would have felt similar things and so it feels nostalgic how lost he gets and how he builds walls around himself subconsciously and running away from reality.

This was thoughtful Alex, thanks. I like the idea of Japanese repression being a cause. I was baffled by so many suicides; let's not forget Reiko's older sister. The only other context I've ever heard of (in real life or literature) of teens dropping like dominoes is The Virgin Suicides.

I am almost half way through this book and I was looking at the reviews to see if anyone else wasn't as into this book as I was. Seems still that so far at least I am in the minority. The character are a bit boring. Jw did you think the main character was interesting at all? because his personality isn't there in my opinion. I enjoy the writer descriptive writing style and I would love to read something else by this him. If you could recommend some of your favorites I would appreciate it. =)

I've just finished it but I spead up to get it over with. Glad to hear not all his books are like this one as if I hadn't heard that I wouldn't look for anymore. Especially didn't like any of the female characters all too wingy on about themselves forever.

The female characters in his other works are much more engaging. Try "South of the Border, West of the Sun" when you've recovered from this one and are finally ready to try another. Of course, with so many satisfying books out there I can understand if you choose not to try Murakami again.

Yulia, what do you think about the newest Murakami book? Is it "Men without women" the correct translation from Spanish to English?
Have you read it? I was about to read it, but I thought that, reading 1Q84 and Tokyo Blues, would be enough of Murakami.

Interesting! I don't believe it's been published in the US yet (not to my knowledge at least), but it contains stories that I did enjoy reading. I think his shorts can be lovely. 1Q84 is regarded as repetitive by some, but I greatly enjoyed it. Of course, I was a devoted reader by then. Thanks for bringing my attention to his new release!

Yes, this was the first Murakami book that I read. And I have no clue why people are so obsessed about it. I was thinking of not trying to read Murakami books anymore, but giving it a second thought after reading your review. Could you please suggest me one, just one book of Murakami so that I do not hate him?

Since you like sci-fi, I'd suggest you read "Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World." I hope it's not a bad experience for you.

Thanks a bunch.

I've just passed the half mark on this, and can't continue. I came to goodreads to read some more reviews, and this confirms my decision to stop. The main characters are unrelatable to me, the story too plain, although I do like Murakami's storytelling.

If you can- keep reading- it's a wonderful story

I couldn't agree more.

I couldn't agree more.

I agarre with You this book was my first of him & didn't like it that much & I don't really understand the end, where it was watanabe when he call Midori & what happened with both, I'm really despoilment of this book.