Norwegian Wood Audiobook [Free Download by Trial]

Dominique Deng

•September 11, 2023 at 11:16 pm

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Murakami. Sometimes, his ability to captivate with his imaginative storytelling amazes me, while other times I'm utterly perplexed as to how his works have achieved such literary acclaim. Interestingly, even Murakami himself seems bewildered by the popularity of "Norwegian Wood," going as far as to express his reluctance for it to be his defining work. So, I can take solace in knowing that my opinions are not entirely unfounded. It's worth noting that this was his first work to be translated into English, and perhaps the unique nature of the story played a role in its initial appeal. The narrative centers around a man reflecting on his life, although it meanders selfishly at times. It begins with the protagonist as a troubled teenager, grappling with youthful tragedy. However, before we can witness any significant change in his life, he is whisked away to college, where he becomes entangled with faux-revolutionaries and endures the usual roommate woes. Just as we hope for something substantial to emerge from these encounters, we are abruptly transported to a commune, which serves as a constant link in his journey. Each scene and every secondary or tertiary character are introduced fleetingly, only to be discarded without much further contemplation. Overall, there is a sense of emptiness that permeates the book. The protagonist claims to be isolated, but we don't truly feel it. The friends he encounters fail to leave a lasting impression in the narrative's stagnant void. The only aspect that seems to hold the book together is the presence of sex, which provides fleeting glimpses of humanity in the characters, although portrayed in a somewhat generic and romance novel-esque manner. The most redeeming parts of the book occur when we are given the opportunity to experience events firsthand, rather than being told about them. These moments, often in the form of slow and pastoral conversations in communes or restaurants, attempt to unveil the protagonist's purpose and lend coherence to the overall narrative. The translation itself feels somewhat disjointed, with awkward cuts that give the impression of imperfectly stitched pieces. The nuances of the Japanese language, which often convey contemplation, are translated in a way that highlights the absence of a comparable verbal signifier in English. As this was Murakami's first book published in the United States, I can only assume that this is indicative of Mr. Rubin's early foray into translating Murakami's works, which, though slightly less awkward, gain more fluidity in his later works. Regarding the narration, it is unremarkable. Given the presence of multiple female characters, one would expect a narrator who could convincingly portray feminine voices. Unfortunately, we are presented with raspy, thinly masked masculine tones for every character. Although I eventually grew accustomed to it, there are certainly narrators better suited for this book. I share all these thoughts not to dissuade you from giving it a try. As of now, there is nothing here that truly prepares you for what to expect, so I thought I would offer some guidance. If you don't mind indulging in a somewhat purposeless endeavor, go ahead and give it a shot. If you've enjoyed Murakami's stories in the past, feel free to ignore my reservations. Read it, enjoy it, and I truly hope you do. However, if you're new to Murakami, I suggest starting with "Hard-Boiled Wonderland" or "Kafka on the Shore" before venturing into "Norwegian Wood." Personally, I don't regret reading the book, but it's not one I'm likely to revisit.

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Anonymous
•September 14, 2023 at 4:26 pm
Haruki Murakami is definitely one of the most captivating authors I've had the privilege of discovering. While Norwegian Wood may not be my top pick, it certainly doesn't showcase the full extent of Murakami's talent for crafting intricate realms where thoughts come alive with astonishing intensity. However, this novel does provide a glimpse into his genius and is definitely worth a listen to grasp the concept. I definitely wouldn't mind more Murakami in the future!
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Alona Oms
•September 13, 2023 at 10:50 pm
This book, "Norwegian Wood," was different from what I anticipated from Murakami's usual writing style. It didn't meet my expectations, but I'm not going to let that discourage me from trying out his other books in the future. It was actually my first time reading his work, and after finishing it, I decided to do some research on it. Interestingly, I found out that even the author himself wasn't as thrilled with this novel as some audiences seem to be.
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Dominique Deng
•September 11, 2023 at 11:16 pm
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Murakami. Sometimes, his ability to captivate with his imaginative storytelling amazes me, while other times I'm utterly perplexed as to how his works have achieved such literary acclaim. Interestingly, even Murakami himself seems bewildered by the popularity of "Norwegian Wood," going as far as to express his reluctance for it to be his defining work. So, I can take solace in knowing that my opinions are not entirely unfounded. It's worth noting that this was his first work to be translated into English, and perhaps the unique nature of the story played a role in its initial appeal. The narrative centers around a man reflecting on his life, although it meanders selfishly at times. It begins with the protagonist as a troubled teenager, grappling with youthful tragedy. However, before we can witness any significant change in his life, he is whisked away to college, where he becomes entangled with faux-revolutionaries and endures the usual roommate woes. Just as we hope for something substantial to emerge from these encounters, we are abruptly transported to a commune, which serves as a constant link in his journey. Each scene and every secondary or tertiary character are introduced fleetingly, only to be discarded without much further contemplation. Overall, there is a sense of emptiness that permeates the book. The protagonist claims to be isolated, but we don't truly feel it. The friends he encounters fail to leave a lasting impression in the narrative's stagnant void. The only aspect that seems to hold the book together is the presence of sex, which provides fleeting glimpses of humanity in the characters, although portrayed in a somewhat generic and romance novel-esque manner. The most redeeming parts of the book occur when we are given the opportunity to experience events firsthand, rather than being told about them. These moments, often in the form of slow and pastoral conversations in communes or restaurants, attempt to unveil the protagonist's purpose and lend coherence to the overall narrative. The translation itself feels somewhat disjointed, with awkward cuts that give the impression of imperfectly stitched pieces. The nuances of the Japanese language, which often convey contemplation, are translated in a way that highlights the absence of a comparable verbal signifier in English. As this was Murakami's first book published in the United States, I can only assume that this is indicative of Mr. Rubin's early foray into translating Murakami's works, which, though slightly less awkward, gain more fluidity in his later works. Regarding the narration, it is unremarkable. Given the presence of multiple female characters, one would expect a narrator who could convincingly portray feminine voices. Unfortunately, we are presented with raspy, thinly masked masculine tones for every character. Although I eventually grew accustomed to it, there are certainly narrators better suited for this book. I share all these thoughts not to dissuade you from giving it a try. As of now, there is nothing here that truly prepares you for what to expect, so I thought I would offer some guidance. If you don't mind indulging in a somewhat purposeless endeavor, go ahead and give it a shot. If you've enjoyed Murakami's stories in the past, feel free to ignore my reservations. Read it, enjoy it, and I truly hope you do. However, if you're new to Murakami, I suggest starting with "Hard-Boiled Wonderland" or "Kafka on the Shore" before venturing into "Norwegian Wood." Personally, I don't regret reading the book, but it's not one I'm likely to revisit.
0 0 •Reply

Norwegian Wood Audiobook [Free Download by Trial]

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

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