Norwegian Wood
Book cover design I made a while back. The cover is a visual metaphor for the character’s life outlook. Toru is looking up with hope, but that part also makes him see and care for Naoko as she is looking down. Her outlook is less happy and positive hence why she’s looking down. Midori is looking up as a symbol of her attitude towards life and the shared connection makes her align more with Toru.
Perhaps this isn’t the best explanation and there’s more thinking behind this concept than what I can illustrate here. Most often book cover designs don’t come with subtitles for how these were made and I like to think the cover is very symbolic of the interaction between the characters and will be better understood after reading the book. However, I believe that this is attention-grabbing, it brings the essence of the book forward and the colours are reminiscent of Japan where the action happens.
[POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT] Synopsis: "Norwegian Wood" is a novel by Haruki Murakami that follows the journey of Toru Watanabe, a college student in Tokyo during the late 1960s. The story unfolds as he reflects on his past, particularly his deep emotional connection with two women: Naoko, a beautiful but deeply troubled girl, and Midori, a spirited and lively classmate.
Toru's life becomes intertwined with Naoko, who is grappling with the aftermath of her boyfriend's suicide. Their relationship is complex, marked by love and a shared sense of loss, as Toru tries to support Naoko through her struggles with her mental health. Meanwhile, he becomes increasingly drawn to Midori, whose free-spirited nature contrasts sharply with Naoko’s fragility.
As Toru navigates his feelings for both women, he contemplates themes of loneliness, love, and the struggle to find personal identity in a rapidly changing society. The narrative captures the bittersweet essence of memory and the impact of choices made in youth, ultimately leading Toru to confront the poignant connections between love, loss, and the passage of time.
