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Norwegian Wood

  • Writer: Kathy Miller
    Kathy Miller
  • Sep 20, 2023
  • 1 min read

Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Haruki Murakami, 1987 date read: 9/19/23



First the writing. I thought it was very well written, especially given it is a translation and those can be iffy. Evocative clear honest writing.


Now the story. The story broke me. Without too many spoilers, it is about suicide and mental illness. This hits very close to home for me because my kids and I all suffer from mental illness. We have all have our suicidal moments (for me ages 12 to 22).


The descriptions of mental crisis and mental illness were so honest it hurt. Therefore I say this is a painfully great novel.


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