A few months ago, I had a conversation with a friend about Haruki Murakami’s writing.

“Nothing much seems to happen in his books, yet they pull you in, making you want to keep reading,” we both observed.

I mentioned that I had read Norwegian Wood, and we even talked about some of the characters. So, it came as a surprise when I recently found it among my unfinished Kindle books, showing I’d only read 25%.

Determined to finish it, I sat down and read it through in one go. When I was done, I couldn’t quite figure out why I had enjoyed a story about an ordinary guy, attending an ordinary university, and doing ordinary things. What made it so captivating?

Then it clicked. The novel feels like a horoscope—one that charts not just the stars but traumas, dreams, and potential life paths.

Horoscopes work by offering insights that seem uniquely personal but apply to many. Even when parts don’t resonate, people focus on the details that do, often dismissing what doesn’t fit. This is the brilliance of Norwegian Wood. It’s a narrative horoscope.

Through its characters, many readers find reflections of their own struggles, hopes, and life experiences. The novel mirrors parts of life that feel deeply familiar, even when the setting or circumstances are different. And because of this, the story feels personal—like it’s charting our own emotional journey.

That’s what makes Norwegian Wood so compelling. It taps into the universal desire to see a glimpse of how our lives might unfold, while comforting us with the shared experiences of others.