Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

“Compared to Murakami’s other works, Norwegian Wood is a slim novel in a straightforward reality. Toru, the narrator, is a disaffected young man unable to cope with his transition into adulthood. Naoko is a young girl, also unable to cope with adulthood, and torn over a private grief. Between them is the loss of their mutual friend, Kizuki, who dies prior to the beginning of the story. It’s when Toru and Naoko reunite, years later, that the repercussions of his death manifest in a strained, tragic relationship between the two main characters. Filled with glimmering insights into the realm of grief, Norwegian Wood is a force of nature that will leave any reader better for experiencing it.”

— Luke