Norwegian Wood

by Haruki Murakami

Norwegian Wood: Genre 1 key example

Genre
Explanation and Analysis:

Norwegian Wood is a coming-of-age novel, or bildungsroman. It’s told in retrospect by 37-year-old Toru, who is reflecting on his college years. Like most coming-of-age stories, the novel shows Toru’s transition from childhood to adulthood, following his psychological development. This transition is marked with intense grief for Toru, who is mourning his best friend Kizuki. As he becomes an adult, he tries to navigate complicated romantic relationships and friendships through this grief and trauma. Toru struggles to become a functioning member