Norwegian Wood

"Norwegian Wood" is a coming-of-age novel by Haruki Murakami, told from the perspective of Toru Watanabe as he reflects on his college days in 1960s Tokyo. The story is triggered when the thirty-seven-year-old Toru hears an orchestral cover of the Beatles song "Norwegian Wood," overwhelming him with feelings of loss and nostalgia. During his college years, Toru navigates complex relationships with two different women: the emotionally troubled Naoko, the former girlfriend of his best friend who committed suicide, and the lively Midori. The novel explores themes of love, loss, grief, and mental health as Toru grapples with personal trauma, ultimately fleeing Tokyo to cope with tragedy before returning to face his life.