Key Facts and Insights:

Unconventional Love Story: The novel is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and longing, as seen through the eyes of the protagonist, Toru Watanabe.
Depiction of Death and Suicide: The narrative delves into the themes of death and suicide, with both the protagonist and other characters grappling with these harsh realities.
Mental Health: The story gives a candid portrayal of mental health issues, particularly depression, and their impact on individuals and relationships.
Coming of Age: The maturation and personal growth of the protagonist is a key aspect of the narrative.
Existentialism: The novel explores existential themes, prompting readers to reflect on the meaning and purpose of life.
Nostalgia and Memory: The narrative is steeped in nostalgia and memory, with the protagonist often reminiscing about his past.
Music: The title refers to a Beatles song, and music plays a significant role in the narrative, often serving as a trigger for memories and emotions.
Setting: The novel is set in Tokyo in the 1960s, a time of societal and cultural change in Japan.
Narrative Style: Murakami uses a first-person narrative style, providing an intimate look into the protagonist's thoughts and feelings.
Realistic and Surreal Elements: While the novel is largely realistic, it also contains surreal elements, characteristic of Murakami's style.

A Detailed Analysis of "Norwegian Wood":

"Norwegian Wood" presents an unconventional love story between the protagonist, Toru Watanabe, and the two women he loves - Naoko and Midori. This triangle forms the heart of the narrative, with Toru's relationships with these women serving as a vehicle for exploring deeper emotional and existential themes.

One of the most prominent themes in the novel is death and suicide. The narrative begins with Toru remembering his best friend Kizuki, who commits suicide at 17. This tragedy sends reverberations throughout the story, affecting not just Toru, but also Naoko, Kizuki's girlfriend. Later in the novel, Naoko herself succumbs to her mental health struggles and ends her life, highlighting the devastating impact of suicide.

The novel doesn't shy away from the topic of mental health. Both Naoko and Toru struggle with depression, although their experiences with it are very different. Naoko's depression is portrayed as severe and debilitating, leading to her institutionalization and eventual suicide. Toru, on the other hand, experiences a more subtle form of depression, characterized by feelings of alienation and existential angst.

At its core, "Norwegian Wood" is a coming-of-age story. Over the course of the novel, we witness Toru's journey from a passive, directionless youth to a man who has learned to confront his pain and make difficult choices. This maturation process is not easy or straightforward, but it is crucial to Toru's development as a character.

The narrative also delves into existential themes. Throughout the novel, Toru grapples with questions about the meaning of life and the nature of human existence. These existential struggles are compounded by the deaths of Kizuki and Naoko, which force Toru to confront the harsh realities of life and death.

Nostalgia and memory play a crucial role in the narrative. The story is told through Toru's reminiscences, with past events often blending with the present. This blurring of time underscores the power of memory, as well as the pain and longing associated with nostalgia.

Music also has a significant presence in the novel. The title itself is a reference to a Beatles song, which holds a special significance for Toru and Naoko. Throughout the story, music serves as a trigger for memories and emotions, and it also provides solace and connection in moments of loneliness and despair.

The novel is set in Tokyo in the 1960s, a time of societal and cultural change in Japan. This setting provides a backdrop to the personal dramas unfolding in the narrative, and it also reflects the broader changes occurring in Japanese society at the time.

Murakami's narrative style is characterized by its intimacy and introspection, as well as its blending of realistic and surreal elements. While "Norwegian Wood" is largely rooted in reality, it also contains moments of surrealism, adding a layer of complexity and ambiguity to the narrative.

In conclusion, "Norwegian Wood" is a profound exploration of love, loss, and longing. It delves into complex themes of death, suicide, mental health, and existentialism, offering a thoughtful and poignant portrayal of the human condition. Despite its somber themes, the novel also affirms the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and connection. Through its richly drawn characters and evocative narrative, the novel encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and experiences, making it a deeply resonant and rewarding read.