Yes, Ive Been Wanting To Read That! I Say With Complete Earnestness, As I Proceed To Ignore Every Opportunity

“yes, I’ve been wanting to read that!” I say with complete earnestness, as I proceed to ignore every opportunity I have to read it

I have become soulless. My being is in pieces. I am, but a shell of a person I used to be, once, long time ago, in my mother's belly. Pure. Untouched.

hiii

hru?

i saw that norweigan wood by murakami is ur fav book.¿ i've been debating with myself on whether i should read murakami or not so its always interesting when i find someone that has read his work. what made you want to pick up noreeigan wood, if u dont mind me asking? :)

hi!

I'm busying myself with everything possible (slipping back into reading after a bit of a slump!)

how are you? <3

I must preface this by saying, that people usually start with Norwegian Wood because it's the easiest to get into Murakami's works if you start it with that but it is no easy read, by any mean

So, he focuses his writing on magical realism. But, this genre is somewhat fluid, I'd say, since his novels range from fantasy to non-fiction, which is always fascinating. Magical realism is usually characterised by the inclusion of fantastical elements in fiction that appears realistic but, it's a little bit of a different story for Norwegian Wood.

This book was so simple, simply written, yet so powerful which is always interesting to me, since it has many layers. The movie (the bits I've seen and the ppl's critiques) portrayed the book to be a love story which simply doesn't cut it in my eyes.

Some would say the main theme of the book is love. I disagree. I'd say it's discusses how to live with loss and pain. How not to drown in the abyss of emotions. How not to get consumed. Especially since the book is basically introspective, dealing with the pain associated with losing a loved one. - not talking about the characters or the exact plot since I do not wish to spoil you but! Trigger warning!!! Read them!!!

CW/TW: alcohol use, death of a loved one, mental illnesses, sexual content, suicide, depression, lesbophobia, sexual harassment

It's a heavy read. I had moments when I needed to put it down simply because of the empathy towards the characters and the pain I felt with them. Since you'd be reading it, you'd basically live through everything Toru Watanabe's going through. And man, oh man, it's a lot.

Note - the female characters are written by a man. Beware. I felt more connected to the main character, a guy - Watanabe, than any female character. They just... didn't click to me and they were 2D in my mind. But, considering the time when it was written, by whom and with what knowledge and experience, I understand. (I always consider author's personal biography when analysing the book and thinking about the plot)

Considering the book explores the concept of loss and the need to overcome one's struggles with grief, there are many great plots. Two of many them are...

“What happens when people open their hearts?"

“They get better.”

And...

“Despite your best efforts, people are going to be hurt when it's time for them to be hurt.”

If you feel like you could stomach it, if the book wouldn't harm you mentally or, if you could take it slowly, reading it slowly to process everything (bc it's worth it, at least to me), then I suggest you start reading it with an open heart, understanding mind and critical eye

I picked up Norwegian Wood in 2021 because I was getting into somewhat classics and Murakami seemed interesting so, instead of snatching it from the school's library in my mother tongue, I decided to read it in English. I do not regret that decision.

Again, brilliant book, but beware of the TW and the lack of depth in female characters. All in all, I could look past it and I'm not easily trigger so, it was a good read for me.

If you decide to read it, do write to me! I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on the book ☀️

give me ace characters who are unabashedly sexy and flirtatious.

give me aro characters who are emotional and clingy.

give me bi characters who can't even make eye contact with anyone, let alone flirt with them.

give me pan characters who are deadpan (haha get it) and have black cat energy.

give me non-binary characters who dress completely femme or masc, who don't “look non-binary”.

give me trans characters who don't completely pass as their gender but are still respected and not the butt of a joke.

fuck the stereotypes, give me more variety in queer representation.

baby's first Marvel movie!!! (not counting Daredevil season 1, bc it's a series but I love it nonetheless)

I'm so excited!!!

Also, yes, I'm watching Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) while doing mathematics. I'm goofy like that (and yes I can multitask like this, been doing it for a decade now... still don't know how)

also, yes, that is a Robin (DC) little, lego figurine in the background, he keeps me safe and calm

<3

reblog to give somebody a fucking hug because we are all struggling to get through it. solidarity in this tough ass world.