Books to Movies: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

For those not overly familiar with Haruki Murakami, he is a well-known contemporary Japanese author—one of the best living authors in the world today. His works have probably been more influenced by western culture than other Japanese authors. Named after The Beatles' song, Norwegian Wood is his first internationally successful novel. It is also the first book I've read by Murakami and truly remarkable. When I started this book, I was honestly bored. I didn't get the story. I needed some pages before entering into it, but after that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Title: Norwegian Wood

Author: Haruki Murakami

Publisher: Vintage Books
Year Published: 2000

Format: Paperback (296 pages)
Goodreads rating: 4.02

Description:

Toru, a quiet and preternaturally serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman, but their mutual passion is marked by the tragic death of their best friend years before. Toru begins to adapt to campus life and the loneliness and isolation he faces there, but Naoko finds the pressures and responsibilities of life unbearable. As she retreats further into her own world, Toru finds himself reaching out to others and drawn to a fiercely independent and sexually liberated young woman.

A poignant story of one college student's romantic coming-of-age, Norwegian Wood takes us to that distant place of a young man's first, hopeless, and heroic love. 

I don't even know where or how to begin talking about this book because it's hard to describe the story itself. I found it to be pretty melancholy and sad. Believe it or not, this book has a really dark mood to it that leaves you with an awkward feeling at times. This isn't just a straightforward love story and certainly, it's unpredictable. Murakami really knows how to build up interestingly weird characters, the dialog in this novel is so vivid and natural. This book gives me that strange feeling of loneliness. Weird, confusing, but truly sincere and makes me think of so many things...

This one is actually rather different from his other works, without the supernatural elements found in it. But wait, this is a typical Murakami that takes you into the character's mind and makes the weird seem normal. The subject of suicide is heavily featured in this book, and a bit hard to take in. From here I learned that the Japanese saw suicide as an honorable alternative to surrender. And just a fair warning, there is a lot of sex in this book.

The ending is somewhat ambiguous and very open to the readers interpretation. A happy ending, or maybe I just want it to be. This is a depressing read and Murakami isn't always easy to read - not for me anyway, still I recommend this book for beginners who want to start reading Murakami though. This book is simply too brilliant for words.

Title: Norwegian Wood (Noruwei no mori)

Release date: 2010
Running time: 2h 13m
Genre: Drama, Romance
Movie rating: Not Rated

IMDB rating: 6.4

Here's the trailer:

Once I heard it was being made into a movie, I had to see it! The movie captures the beautifully scenes described in the book. The scenery, the lighting, everything is absolutely gorgeous without being overwhelming and dramatic, but... this movie is extremely disjointed and lacks a good flow. I bet it is hard to grasp the movie, if you haven't read the book. The latter of course, is significantly more enjoyable. It provides more backstory and detail than the movie. Some parts from the book are either missing or underdeveloped. Is the movie too short that it can't provide the time to devote to each of these characters? I guess no.

However, Norwegian Wood is a drama about love, life, death and loss, which is definitely not for everyone. Not so great, but it is a good adaptation and well done. I didn't like it at first either, but I started liking it when I saw it the second time. The sex scenes are intense and erotic without being too explicit, so no worries. Worth to watch.

Favorite Quotes

“I'm confused. Really confused. And it's a lot deeper than you think.” - Naoko

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” - Nagasawa

“Nobody likes being alone that much. I don't go out of my way to make friends, that's all. It just leads to disappointment.” - Watanabe

“Being able to say you don't have any money [is the best thing about being rich]. Like, if I suggested to a classmate we should do something, she could say, 'Sorry, I don't have any money.' Which is something I could never say if the situation was reversed. If I said 'I don't have any money,' it would really mean 'I don't have any money.' It's sad. Like if a pretty girl says 'I look terrible today, I don't want to go out,' that's O.K., but if an ugly girl says the same thing people laugh at her.” - Midori

“I don't know, I feel like this isn't the real world. The people, the scene: they just don't seem real to me.”- Watanabe

“... even if we hadn't met that day, my life might not have been any different. We had met that day because we were supposed to meet. If we hadn't met then and there, we would have just met somewhere else sometime.” - Watanabe

I really like the way Murakami writes, very artistic painting a vision in my mind with his words. I realized all of his words, sentences, and paragraphs seem like being my favorite quotes hehehe. Last but not least, here is The Beatles' Norwegian Wood. Enjoy!

More Info:

• Norwegian Wood (Book / 1987) - Goodreads
• Norwegian Wood (Movie / 2010) - IMDB

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Books to Movies: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Title: Safe Haven

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Year Published: 2010

Format: Paperback (352 pages)
Goodreads rating: 4.19

Description:

Love hurts. There is nothing as painful as heartbreak. But in order to learn to love again, you must learn to trust again.

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors, so I was eager to read this book as soon as it was available. He creates such good pictures in reader’s eyes. Sparks really knows how to get under your skin and touch your soul. He never fails to deliver and Safe Haven is no exception. 

Safe Haven is a little more scary than his usual and kind of a "can't put it down" book. This book is packed with suspense, tragedy, hope and romance. Sparks switches points of view between three characters that are written with such depth. Once you are involved with them, you will not want to stop until you get to the end. Safe Haven tells about a young woman (Katie) who manages to escape from her abusive husband (Kevin) and start a new life in North Carolina, a small quite town. She meets a widower (Alex), falls in love with him and his two children. Everything seems to be perfect for Katie until Kevin comes looking for her. Not to mention her friendship with Jo.

This book is both thrilling and heart warming all in the same chapter that will keep you interested until the end. The ending is a surprise in a very good way—no details because you'll just have to read it for yourself. Safe Haven definitely is at the top of my list as one of my favorites by Sparks. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read, especially for adults (or you may get disturbed by the graphic sexual descriptions in it). Such an easy read and a real page turner.

Title: Safe Haven

Release date: 2013
Running time: 1h 55m
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Movie rating: PG-13

IMDB rating: 6.7

Here's the trailer:

The movie is good and well done, but doesn't do the book justice. In the book, the characters are richly developed, in the movie they don't even capture your attention. I like Josh Duhamel, I'm a big fan of him, but that's about it. I think Julianne Hough is not a good fit for this movie. She doesn't deliver in her role, but she is nice to look at. I don't see the sparks or chemistry between the two. Moreover, a lot of things are changed and other things added that don't even happen in the book. The book's story line is much more in depth and makes so much more sense. However, the movie has some beautiful scenic shots of North Carolina; really picturesque. Love it.

We know it's impossible to fit all the details of the book into a 2 hour movie. Well.. lower your expectations if you've read the book. I still recommend this movie though as it shows you about finding true love and getting a second chance at life.

Favorite Quotes

Everyone has a past, but that’s just it — it’s in the past. You can learn from it, but you can’t change it. - Alex Wheatley,  Chapter 16, p. 118

Love doesn't mean anything if you're not willing to make a commitment, and you have to think not only about what you want, but about what he wants. Not just now, but in the future. - Jo, Chapter 23, p. 192

I'm not sure anyone's life turns out exactly the way they imagine. All we can do is to try to make the best of it. Even when it seems impossible. - Alex Wheatley, Chapter 25, p. 208

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Books to Movies: Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen

Title: Flipped

Author: Wendelin Van Draanen

Publisher: Ember
Year Published: 2003

Format: Paperback (256 pages)
Goodreads rating: 3.93

Description:

The first time she saw him, she flipped. The first time he saw her, he ran. That was the second grade, but not much has changed by the seventh. She says: My Bryce. Still walking around with my first kiss. He says: It's been six years of strategic avoidance and social discomfort. But in the eighth grade everything gets turned upside down. And just as he's thinking there's more to her than meets the eye, she's thinking that he's not quite all he seemed.

This is a classic romantic comedy of errors told in alternating chapters by two fresh, funny voices. Wendelin Van Draanen is at her best here with a knockout cast of quirky characters and a hilarious series of misunderstandings and missed opportunities. But underlying the humor are two teens in transition. They are each learning to look beyond the surface of people, both figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and who they want to be "with."

I'm a hopeless romantic when it comes to books and Flipped is surely one of my all-time favorites. When I first started reading this book I couldn't put it down. I read it when I was in middle school and I thought it was such a simple, classic and heartwarming story. Like the old saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. Unlike the other books, Flipped has an "eccentric" cover. Yup, a flipped chick! It looks quite adorable, and it makes sense as you read the book. 

Cute, charming and sweet. Set in the 90s, Flipped tells the story of a young boy and girl (Bryce and Juli) who live across the street from each other. The story itself is told through two points of view, Bryce first and then Juli. I think it's interesting how the same situation can be viewed by different perceptions by two people. This book is greatly written, you will not get bored hearing the same story told by different points of view. Van Draanen also did an awesome job of developing the plot and characters.

It's a teen book, but it has lots to offer anyone who reads it. Flipped is not a typical sappy, cheesy young adult romance full of sunshine and flowers. No, it's far from that. It carries deeper messages about family, friendship, life and many other things that serve as a good lesson for the reader. The book has hilarious and emotional parts that can make you laugh one moment and make you cry the next. Another reason I love this book is that it has a very realistic quality. Everything feels so real and vivid, you can relate to all the things that go on. The ending is also wrapped up perfectly, although it leaves things a bit up in the air. What will happen with Juli and Bryce? Read this and find out!

Title: Flipped

Release date: 2010
Running time: 1h 30m
Genre: Drama/Coming of age
Movie rating: PG (Parental Guidance)

IMDB rating: 7.7

Here's the trailer:

When I heard it was being turned into a movie, I was thrilled! Seriously, it's a one in a million. The movie is very well made and exactly the same as the book, couldn't ask for much better. The differences are a few name changes but none that matter. The movie does follow the book better than I expected! The two lead actors are also perfect in their respective roles (Madeline Carroll is so cuteee ☺). The late 50s/early 60s theme in the movie makes it look more classy and innocent. It gives a feeling of nostalgia even for those who weren't alive at the time.

One of the best quotes in the entire book lol.

Personally, this is the cutest movie I ever watched in my life. One thing for sure that I'll watch it again for thousand times, I just can't get enough of it. I wish all teen romance stories/movies were like this. No kiss, no sex, no nudity. If you are searching for a good story that will make you feel better afterwards, then this is for you. Definitely one of those beautiful movies which could melt your heart. I highly recommend this movie to people of all ages! Flipped just totally got me flipped :p

Some of my favorite quotes from the book/movie:

A painting is more than the sum of it's parts. A cow by itself is just a cow. A meadow by itself is just grass, flowers. And the sun picking through the trees, is just a beam of light. But you put them all together and it can be magic. - Richard Baker

Somehow the silence seemed to connect us in a way like words never could.- Juli Baker

Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss; but every once in a while, you find someone who's iridescent, and once you do, nothing will ever compare. - Chet Duncan

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