Norwegian Wood: Haruki Murakami’s novel follows Toru Watanabe, a college student in 1960s Tokyo, as he navigates love, loss, and the complexities of growing up. The novel explores his relationships with two very different women: Naoko, a beautiful but emotionally fragile woman from his past, and Midori, a lively and outgoing classmate.
As Toru grapples with the pain of Naoko’s mental illness and the pressures of adult life, the novel delves into themes of memory, nostalgia, and the inevitability of change. Murakami’s lyrical prose and deep psychological insight create a poignant and introspective narrative about the challenges of finding one’s place in the world.
License Model
Book Release Date
Norwegian Wood Book Information
30 Best Similar Books To Norwegian Wood
1: My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Ottessa Moshfegh's novel about a young woman attempting to escape life's emptiness through a year-long drug-induced sleep, exploring themes of grief and alienation.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, but My Year of Rest and Relaxation lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Romance. My Year of Rest and Relaxation is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
2: The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
Meg Wolitzer's novel tracing the lives of six friends from a summer camp for the arts into adulthood, examining ambition, envy, and the bonds of friendship.
The Interestings and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, but The Interestings lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels, Romance. The Interestings is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
3: Woman No. 17 by Edan Lepucki
Edan Lepucki's psychological thriller about two women entangled in art, motherhood, and secrets in Los Angeles, blurring the lines between truth and deception.
Woman No. 17 and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, but Woman No. 17 lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Literary Fiction, Novels, Romance. Woman No. 17 is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
4: Country Girls by Edna O'Brien
Edna O'Brien's novel following two Irish girls leaving their rural home for Dublin, exploring themes of friendship, sexuality, and the search for independence.
Country Girls and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Classics, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, but Country Girls lacks the following features like Japan, Japanese Literature, Romance. Country Girls is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
5: Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey
Miranda Popkey's novel composed of dialogues between women over two decades, delving into desire, shame, and the complexities of female experience.
Topics of Conversation and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, but Topics of Conversation lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Romance. Topics of Conversation is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
6: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Jennifer Egan's Pulitzer-winning novel connecting diverse characters across time, exploring themes of music, time, and the transformative nature of life.
A Visit from the Goon Squad and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, but A Visit from the Goon Squad lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Romance. A Visit from the Goon Squad is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
7: Very Nice by Marcy Dermansky
Marcy Dermansky's darkly comic novel about entangled relationships between a student, her professor, and her mother, satirizing wealth, privilege, and desire.
Very Nice and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, Romance, but Very Nice lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature. Very Nice is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
8: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Kiley Reid's novel addressing race and privilege through the story of a young Black babysitter accused of kidnapping while working for a well-intentioned white family.
Such a Fun Age and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, but Such a Fun Age lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels, Romance. Such a Fun Age is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
9: The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe
Rufi Thorpe's novel about an unlikely friendship between two misfit teens, exploring violence, identity, and the search for acceptance in suburban California.
The Knockout Queen and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, Romance, but The Knockout Queen lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature. The Knockout Queen is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
10: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's story of a Nigerian woman immigrating to America, tackling themes of race, love, and identity across continents and cultures.
Americanah and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, but Americanah lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels, Romance. Americanah is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
11: Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Susan Choi's novel set in a 1980s performing arts high school, exploring adolescent love and manipulation, and challenging perceptions of truth and memory.
Trust Exercise and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, but Trust Exercise lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Romance. Trust Exercise is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
12: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
Lauren Groff's exploration of a marriage over two decades, revealing differing perspectives and hidden secrets, examining love, creativity, and ambition.
Fates and Furies and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, but Fates and Furies lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels. Fates and Furies is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
13: Marlena by Julie Buntin
Julie Buntin's novel about a teenage friendship marked by intensity and tragedy, reflecting on the lasting impact of formative relationships and loss.
Marlena and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, but Marlena lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels, Romance. Marlena is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
14: Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
Naoise Dolan's novel following a young Irish woman in Hong Kong navigating complex relationships and modern identity with sharp wit and emotional depth.
Exciting Times and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, but Exciting Times lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels. Exciting Times is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
15: The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Jeffrey Eugenides' novel centered on a love triangle among recent college graduates, exploring intellectual pursuit, mental health, and the search for meaningful connection.
The Marriage Plot and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, Romance, but The Marriage Plot lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature. The Marriage Plot is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
16: I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin
A novel delving into the intricacies of love and place, examining how environments shape relationships and personal growth.
I Could Live Here Forever and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, but I Could Live Here Forever lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels. I Could Live Here Forever is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
17: Good Material by Dolly Alderton
A book exploring the significance of quality and authenticity in creation, whether in art, relationships, or personal endeavors.
Good Material and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, but Good Material lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels. Good Material is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
18: One Day by David Nicholls
David Nicholls' story following two people on the same day each year over two decades, capturing the evolution of friendship, love, and missed opportunities.
One Day and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Novels, Romance, but One Day lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Literary Fiction. One Day is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
19: Normal People by Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney's novel about the profound yet complicated relationship between two Irish teenagers as they navigate social dynamics, love, and personal growth into adulthood.
Normal People and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, but Normal People lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels, Romance. Normal People is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
20: Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
A novel exploring the intimate and revealing conversations that occur in the quiet hours, delving into secrets, relationships, and self-discovery.
Talking at Night and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, but Talking at Night lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels. Talking at Night is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
21: Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
Megan Nolan's raw portrayal of a young woman's obsessive and destructive relationship, examining themes of desire, self-worth, and vulnerability.
Acts of Desperation and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, but Acts of Desperation lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels. Acts of Desperation is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
22: Guy’s Girl by Emma Noyes
A story about a woman navigating traditionally male-dominated spaces, exploring gender roles, identity, and the search for authentic connections.
Guy’s Girl and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Romance, but Guy’s Girl lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Literary Fiction, Novels. Guy’s Girl is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
23: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Brit Bennett's novel about twin sisters who choose different racial identities, exploring themes of family, identity, and the lasting impact of choices across generations.
The Vanishing Half and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, but The Vanishing Half lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels, Romance. The Vanishing Half is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
24: Milkman by Anna Burns
Anna Burns' stream-of-consciousness novel set in Northern Ireland, depicting a young woman's struggle with rumor and harassment amidst political unrest.
Milkman and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, but Milkman lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels, Romance. Milkman is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
25: The Mothers by Brit Bennett
Brit Bennett's debut novel about a young woman coping with grief and a life-altering decision, exploring community, secrets, and the paths not taken.
The Mothers and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, but The Mothers lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels, Romance. The Mothers is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
26: Writers and Lovers by Lily King
Lily King's novel about a struggling writer navigating love, grief, and creative ambition in her early thirties, capturing the uncertainty of artistic pursuit.
Writers and Lovers and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, Romance, but Writers and Lovers lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature. Writers and Lovers is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
27: Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
Coco Mellors' novel depicting a whirlwind marriage between a young British painter and an older American advertising executive, exploring love, art, and self-destruction.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, but Cleopatra and Frankenstein lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Novels. Cleopatra and Frankenstein is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
28: The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Elif Batuman's novel following a Turkish-American freshman at Harvard navigating language, culture, and first love, blending humor and introspection.
The Idiot and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, but The Idiot lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Romance. The Idiot is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
29: Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
Maggie Shipstead's novel about a ballerina who helps a Soviet dancer defect, exploring the sacrifices and passions within the world of professional dance.
Astonish Me and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, but Astonish Me lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Romance. Astonish Me is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.
30: The Learning Curve by Mandy Berman
A story exploring personal and professional growth through challenges and unexpected lessons, highlighting resilience and adaptability.
The Learning Curve and Norwegian Wood have similar features like Fiction, Novels, Romance, but The Learning Curve lacks the following features like Classics, Japan, Japanese Literature, Literary Fiction. The Learning Curve is Premium while Norwegian Wood is Unknown.