Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami,

Artwork by Miguel Francisco Sebastian

“The four images represent Murakami’s Norwegian Wood. Each image corresponds to one season, while each season corresponds to one recurring theme of the book. Within each picture, there are symbolisms in the reflections or doorways to allude the confusion and exploration in the minds of the people involved. The characters portrayed are Toru Watanabe, Midori Kobayashi, and Naoko.” MFS

Image 01: Spring, Season of Love and Music

This season represents the possibilities that relationships and growth exhibits within the characters of the book. They experience their freedom, and they explore romance with one another. There is an air of optimism through the sex and music they surround themselves in. “Let me just tell you this, Watanabe,” said Midori, pressing her cheek against my neck. “I’m a real, live girl, with real, live blood gushing through my veins.” (Midori, Chapter 10)

Image 02: Summer, Season of Truth and Lies

This season represents the miscommunication and lies each character subject the others to. The rains create distance and contributes to the confusion. They all long for the peace of meadows, yet they are stuck in the bustle of a rainy city. “You will not lie, you will not gloss over anything, you will not cover up anything that might prove embarrassing for you. That’s all there is to it.” (Reiko, Chapter 6)

Image 03: Autumn, Season of Death and Grief

This season represents the looming ghosts of suicide and death, and how the characters deal with this 

constant weight. Mortality and existentialism persist on the characters, Toru in particular, as he begs for 

clarity regarding his own life.”Death was not the opposite of life. It was already here, within my being, it had always been here, and no struggle would permit me to forget that.” (Toru, Chapter 2)

Image 04: Winter, Season of Memory and Regret

This season represents the memory of Toru, the main character, reminiscing on his past and navigating 

through his regrets. There is also a loneliness felt within him and even within all the characters that attribute to the longingness of what was lost due to their decisions . “Memory is a funny thing. […] Now, though, that meadow scene is the first thing that comes back to me […] And yet, as clear as the scene may be, no one is in it.” (Toru, Chapter 1)