# Norwegian Wood

> 1987 novel by Haruki Murakami

**Wikidata**: [Q751348](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q751348)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Wood_(novel))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/norwegian-wood

## Summary
*Norwegian Wood* is a 1987 novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. It is a coming-of-age story classified as both a romance and a Bildungsroman that became a cultural phenomenon in Japan. The work is named after the original song by The Beatles and is notable for marking a stylistic shift toward realistic fiction in the author's career.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Haruki Murakami
- **Publication Date**: September 4, 1987
- **Country of Origin**: Japan
- **Original Title**: ノルウェイの森 (*Noruwei no Mori*)
- **Literary Genres**: Romance, Bildungsroman (coming of age)
- **Classification**: Literary work, Novel
- **Preceded By**: *Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World* (1985)
- **Followed By**: *Dance Dance Dance* (1988)
- **Named After**: The Beatles song "Norwegian Wood" (1965)
- **Aliases**: *Norway no Mori*
- **Sitelink Count**: 44
- **OCLC Number**: 16954838
- **NDL ID**: 01174752
- **Open Library ID**: OL2625517W
- **Goodreads ID**: 5860
- **LibraryThing ID**: 1388735
- **Babel ID**: 003853523, 001940098
- **CiNii Books ID**: 1818831023
- **BNF ID**: 920
- **NLA ID**: 15841
- **B2B ID**: 426664
- **BKL ID**: 2956680
- **NKC ID**: 118720

## FAQs
**Who wrote *Norwegian Wood*?**
*Norwegian Wood* was written by Haruki Murakami, a Japanese author born in 1949 who is renowned for blending magical realism with existential themes.

**What is the genre of *Norwegian Wood*?**
The novel is classified as both a romance and a Bildungsroman, a literary genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood.

**Is *Norwegian Wood* related to The Beatles?**
Yes, the novel is named after the song "Norwegian Wood," which was written and composed by Lennon-McCartney and originally recorded by The Beatles in 1965.

**Where does *Norwegian Wood* fit in Haruki Murakami's bibliography?**
It was published in 1987, serving as the successor to *Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World* (1985) and the predecessor to *Dance Dance Dance* (1988).

**What is the significance of the title *Norwegian Wood*?**
The title refers to the Beatles song of the same name, reflecting the influence of Western pop culture on the narrative and the setting of the novel in 1960s Japan.

## Why It Matters
*Norwegian Wood* matters because it established Haruki Murakami as a major figure in contemporary literature and became a massive cultural phenomenon in Japan, selling millions of copies and defining a generation. Unlike his earlier works which often featured surreal elements, this novel's realistic portrayal of loss, sexuality, and mental health resonated deeply with readers, marking a significant stylistic shift in his career. As a prominent example of the Bildungsroman genre, it provides critical insight into the psychological and moral development of youth during the turbulent late 1960s, bridging Japanese literary traditions with global pop culture references.

## Notable For
- Becoming a cultural phenomenon in Japan upon its release in 1987.
- Marking a departure from Haruki Murakami's earlier magical realism to a more realistic style.
- Being named after the iconic 1965 Beatles song "Norwegian Wood."
- Serving as a definitive Bildungsroman (coming-of-age) novel in modern literature.
- Achieving a high sitelink count of 44, indicating extensive global documentation and translation.
- Featuring the original Japanese title *ノルウェイの森* (*Noruwei no Mori*).

## Body

### Publication and Classification
*Norwegian Wood* is a literary work published in 1987, specifically on September 4, 1987. As a novel, it falls under the class of written works intended for enjoyment and edification, distinct from non-literary texts like manuals or reports. The book originated in Japan, the native country of its author, and is composed of text created through the process of writing. It is recognized as a distinct entity from its various versions, editions, or translations, which are considered separate manifestations in library and archival catalogs.

### Author and Context
The novel was authored by Haruki Murakami, a Japanese writer born in 1949 in Kyoto. Murakami studied at Waseda University and is known for his works that often explore themes of alienation and existentialism. While *Norwegian Wood* is one of his most famous works, his bibliography also includes titles such as *The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle*, *Kafka on the Shore*, and *1Q84*. Murakami has received numerous international awards, including the Franz Kafka Prize and the Jerusalem Prize, and his works have been translated into over 50 languages. His affiliation with institutions like Princeton University and Tufts University as a visiting professor further underscores his academic and literary significance.

### Literary Genre and Themes
*Norwegian Wood* is categorized within the genres of romance and Bildungsroman. The Bildungsroman aspect focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood, aligning with the "coming of age" definition. The romance genre indicates a central narrative driven by romantic relationships. The novel is distinct from the general concept of "Werk" (German for work) and is specifically defined by its artistic and expressive nature as a literary text.

### Related Works and Bibliography
In the sequence of Haruki Murakami's publications, *Norwegian Wood* holds a specific position. It is preceded by *Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World*, a novel published in 1985 that blends detective fiction with surrealism. It is followed by *Dance Dance Dance*, a 1988 novel that continues the author's exploration of contemporary life. This chronological placement highlights the transition in Murakami's career from the surreal narratives of the mid-1980s to the realistic tone of *Norwegian Wood*, before returning to more complex, metaphysical storytelling.

### Cultural References and Naming
The title of the novel is directly derived from "Norwegian Wood," an original song written and composed by Lennon-McCartney. This song was originally recorded by The Beatles in 1965. The connection to the song is a defining characteristic of the book, linking it to the musical and cultural landscape of the 1960s. The novel's original Japanese title is *ノルウェイの森* (*Noruwei no Mori*), and it is also known by the alias *Norway no Mori*.

### Identifiers and Cataloging
*Norwegian Wood* is extensively cataloged in digital and cultural archives worldwide, utilizing various identification systems to ensure its preservation and accessibility. These identifiers include:
- **OCLC**: 16954838
- **NDL (National Diet Library)**: 01174752
- **Open Library**: OL2625517W
- **Goodreads**: 5860
- **LibraryThing**: 1388735
- **Babel**: 003853523, 001940098
- **CiNii Books**: 1818831023
- **BNF (Bibliothèque nationale de France)**: 920
- **NLA (National Library of Australia)**: 15841
- **B2B**: 426664
- **BKL**: 2956680
- **NKC (National Library of the Czech Republic)**: 118720

The work is associated with a sitelink count of 44, reflecting its broad representation across different language versions of Wikipedia and other knowledge platforms. It is maintained by WikiProject Books and is part of the "Category: Literary works," ensuring structured documentation within encyclopedic contexts.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://archive.org/details/tokioblues00mura)
4. Goodreads