The book "Norwegian Forest" is written by the legendary Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. The plot of the book is closely intertwined with the melody and words of the song of the same name, but the Norwegian forests have nothing to do with it.
This single was popular in the 60s. It helps the reader to mentally go back in time and live for some time next to the characters. This work is characterized by Murakami hyperrealism, the life of young heroes is described naturally and in detail, without embellishment. History is permeated with the spirit of the 60s, the features of that time. The Beatles music played an important role in shaping the culture of the young people of that generation, which is why it “sounds” in the novel. The action of the book takes place in Japan, therefore, in the behavior of the characters you can see echoes of Japanese traditions and the spirit of the new European culture, but you will not find real Norwegian forests in it. This work touches on the eternal questions of being. The themes of love, friendship, and death hovering over them are raised in the book “The Norwegian Forest”. The quotes from the death novel are very deep, which is why they are so loved by the public. Murakami writes with an amazing syllable that is unique to him, thanks to which his works are read in one breath. The Norwegian forests, as you can understand, have a very distant relation to the plot.
Norwegian Forest - Short story
Young student Toru Watanabe, a student in the recent past, experienced a great shock - death is better than Kizuki's friend. In order to forget about everything and start life anew, Tohru goes to study in Tokyo, where he hopes to find a goal for his existence. He feels lost, seeks pleasure in life, but does not find it. The guy does not really know how to live and what to do. Soon the young man meets the girl of his dead friend - Naoko. Toru quickly draws close to Naoko, they think they love each other, but the cruel reality is that Naoko can’t come to terms with Kizuki’s death, which greatly affects her relationship with Toru. They do not part, but the attraction gradually disappears between the lovers. The girl goes to treat shattered nerves in a sanatorium. And the life of Toru, meanwhile, is taking its course, he meets another beautiful girl - Midori. Torah remembers the whole story many years later, standing at the airport, accidentally hearing the song “Norwegian Forest”.
The Norwegian Forest Movie Summary
In 2010, the film of the same name was released based on the book under the direction of French director Chan An Hung.
The film caused a mixed reaction. It is also extremely realistic, also imbued with the spirit of the 60s, the theme of love and loss of loved ones. The picture is full of erotic scenes, frames of Japanese nature (again not Norwegian forests) and good music of the 60s. Despite the disagreement of critics about the plot or proximity to the content of the book, viewers are unanimous in recognizing the acting of the actors as excellent. Young people masterfully convey the feelings, emotions and experiences of the main characters. The film is very unusual, different from everything that was previously shot by French cinema. In the film adaptation of "The Norwegian Forest" some deviations from the storyline of the book are allowed, but the atmosphere created by Haruki Muraki is completely preserved. The film will be of interest to both young people and the older generation.