As I read Murakami’s writing, I am drawn to how he intertwines music with his narrative, using it as an emotional connection that provides comfort that words cannot convey on their own. I often find myself pausing to listen to a mentioned piece before continuing with the story, a little habit that seems to be enriching the reading. His usage of music is profound, and it is not only a cultural connection but also used as an extension of the characters.
Each piece seems to be hand-picked for the moment and sort of harmonizes with the narrative. For instance, when Watanabe sees the film The Graduate, a reference is later brought up when they hear the song Scarborough Fair over the radio, and Reiko learns the piece on Guitar. This particular film follows the story of a college graduate who is pulled into a strange love triangle with a married woman and her Daughter. The motif of love triangles, as well as the protagonist being adrift in his ways in this movie, all seem synonymous with Watanabe, and the music pairs flawlessly with this story.Additionally, I cannot help but feel drawn to these references myself. Having seen Doobie Brothers perform this past summer, thinking back to "South Bay Strut", as well as having seen Brahms’ Symphonies at the BSO with mention in Norwegian Wood, the music feels familiar and warm. His mention of listening to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue on repeat during a rainy night is comforting to Watanabe, and I believe he tries to convey that comforting emotion to the reader as well. I find Murakami’s musical portfolio to be very vivid in his stories. Possibly, this can be attributed to his time spent at his club Peter Cat.
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