Synopsis
- In high school, his best friend Kizuki commits suicide.
- He reunites with Kizuki’s girlfriend, Naoko, and they bond. However, Naoko also becomes mentally unstable and is sent to a sanatorium.
- While Watanabe harbors feelings for Naoko, he is drawn to Midori, a vibrant woman he meets at university.
- Watanabe is torn between Naoko and Midori, two people who represent “death” and “life,” as he searches for his own way of life.
The story is set in Tokyo in the late 1960s, with student protests and social distortions as its backdrop.
Review
- The pain of loss is portrayed realistically: Through the deaths of Kizuki and Naoko, the story’s portrayal of the loss everyone experiences is moving.
- His quiet writing style resonates with the heart: Murakami Haruki’s characteristically matter-of-fact narrative accentuates the depth of his emotions.
- The contrast between Naoko and Midori is symbolic: Naoko symbolizes “death” and Midori symbolizes “life.” Midori’s frank remarks in particular convey a strong sense of energy. And by touching on Midori’s delicate side, I think her charm is highlighted. And we must not forget the presence of Reiko. I felt that her presence represented a rebirth from death.
