I just finished reading Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. It's another one of those coming of age stories in the vein of many others, but extremely well done in my opinion. The book is filled with sentiment, but I appreciate such things.
The elements of the story are very common. Many novels speak of first love, changing mentally from a child to an adult, and figuring out what's important to ourselves, but this one strikes close to home.
Watanabe, the main character, is somewhat of an outcast. He has very few friends, but not because he's strange, or unlikable, or even a loner. Watanabe just refuses to go through the motions of pretending. Everything he says and does are genuine. That may sound admirable, but is often frowned upon on a large scale.
He has an extremely idealistic view of love. For him, it's a living, breathing thing as powerful as any religion or philosophy. Despite the fact that he is almost completely unaffected by societal norms, the love and friendship he holds for a few people always guides his path of action. These feelings transcend societal constructs of family, pop culture, school and church.
It's a bit scary to think that I embrace this way of life so readily, but I do. I just don't see much reason to do wrong to others, I'd rather be indifferent to most and understand the shortcomings of the people I love and myself well enough to deal with them in a less reactive, more constructive manner. Some people think this makes me a "good guy", others a freak. I couldn't care either way.
Either way, I highly recommend Norwegian Wood, it's an entertaining read (although it is a translation) and well constructed. Have a great day folks, it's Friday!
The elements of the story are very common. Many novels speak of first love, changing mentally from a child to an adult, and figuring out what's important to ourselves, but this one strikes close to home.
Watanabe, the main character, is somewhat of an outcast. He has very few friends, but not because he's strange, or unlikable, or even a loner. Watanabe just refuses to go through the motions of pretending. Everything he says and does are genuine. That may sound admirable, but is often frowned upon on a large scale.
He has an extremely idealistic view of love. For him, it's a living, breathing thing as powerful as any religion or philosophy. Despite the fact that he is almost completely unaffected by societal norms, the love and friendship he holds for a few people always guides his path of action. These feelings transcend societal constructs of family, pop culture, school and church.
It's a bit scary to think that I embrace this way of life so readily, but I do. I just don't see much reason to do wrong to others, I'd rather be indifferent to most and understand the shortcomings of the people I love and myself well enough to deal with them in a less reactive, more constructive manner. Some people think this makes me a "good guy", others a freak. I couldn't care either way.
Either way, I highly recommend Norwegian Wood, it's an entertaining read (although it is a translation) and well constructed. Have a great day folks, it's Friday!
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
apexxx:
nahhh man, ive been to too many bars the past few day. ill be watching in the comfy confines of my abode
thurmis:
it's all good man. it's not like we don't do this every week or anything.