Norwegian Wood

Watanabe muses that looking back on 1969 feels like remembering a swamp. His 20th birthday comes and goes, but life remains the same, and social changes promised by revolutionaries seem “two-dimensional” when they arrive. Days pass in an endless cycle of studying, working, and writing letters to Naoko on Sunday afternoons. Sometimes, he sees Midori, but he avoids Nagasawa, not wanting to chase women.

In December, he asks Naoko if he can visit. Reiko answers, saying that Naoko isn’t up for writing but that she is doing well and he should come to Ami Hostel. He goes for two days again and spends the time helping the women with their chores and listening to Reiko play the guitar. Naoko is less talkative than before, but Reiko allows them some time alone. Naoko tells Watanabe that she still cannot have penetrative sex with him, but she uses her hands on him again and gives him oral sex. Watanabe tells her that he hasn’t slept with any other women and reiterates his wish for her to live with him. She thanks him but warns him that she might never get better and she might never be able to have sex with him.