So you all know the controversy surrounding the novel Norwegian Wood. It was deemed inappropriate for 15 year olds because it contains a "lesbian sex scene between a 13 year old and a 31 year old." I read the book, and now I am going to clear up some of this mess about appropriateness.
There are a lot of reasons that this book may not be appropriate for young folks:
Point 1-- There is a lot of sex in the novel. Lots of heterosexual sex. There is only one mention of homosexual sex, and that is the deal-breaking lesbian sex scene.
Point 2--It is clear that the characters in the book understand sex according to Bill Clinton: penis/vagina action is "sex," while oral sex and many other sexual actions don't count as "doing it."
Point 3-- The sex in the book gets steadily more graphic as the story goes on, ranging from "we slept together," in the beginning, to "she touched --- and we moved like --- and I put my lips on her ---..." There are a decent number of anatomical terms. Most of them are clinical, but some are vulgar.
Point 4-- There is some foul language. There are exactly 4 f-words, as well as several other vulgarities and curse words. There are also some exclamations like "God damn," and (heaven forbid) slang words.
Point 5-- A lot of people die in this novel. In fact, it seems like of the few characters we as readers grow close to, about half of them do not survive the duration of the book. There are four suicides (three of which are described in detail by the people who found the dead) and one death by cancer.
Point 6-- The characters in the book drink a lot of alcohol. It should be noted that all of the characters are of age (the book takes place in the 1960s in Japan, where the drinking age is 18). However, the characters are sometimes described as being drunk and then doing things under the influence of alcohol (namely sex).
Point 7-- A character admits herself to a mental hospital because of depression (her boyfriend has killed himself). Some of the events of the novel take place at the mental hospital, though nearly all of the patients act normally.
There are also a lot of reasons that this book is extremely appropriate for youth:
Point 1-- The "lesbian sex scene" involves a teenage girl (a pathological liar) taking advantage of a mentally unstable older woman. I like the idea of turning the tables on young people, showing them that the old don't always prey on the young and that the older one is not always the controlling one with awareness of what is happening.
Point 2-- I also kind of like the idea of introducing the topic sex as it actually happens into literature. Most required reading books take a "lie back and think of England" approach. The discussion question "what does sex represent in the novel?" will really have the kiddos thinking.
Point 3-- I admit that the string of suicides is unsettling, but the emotions it brings up in other characters are fantastic for analysis. Additionally, looking at grief from another prospective (rather than generic 'Jane Eyre' style sadness) adds soooooo much to the curriculum.
Point 4-- The time period and pop culture are woven into the plot very, very well. I love the references to The Beatles and other musicians. Also, the way older characters tell stories about World War II really helps set the stage for the specific time period. (Most high school literature revolves around specific times : Ancient Greece, Victorian England, World War II, Modern).
Point 5-- Having lived in Japan, I relished the "Japanese-ness" of the novel. Some things, like going to the restaurant in the basement of the department store to buy a boxed lunch, made me miss my childhood adventures in Okinawa City. Not many high school stories are based outside of England or the United States. I love opening eyes and minds.
Point 6-- Even though protests are happening though out the story (big students-against-administration tiffs at colleges), there is surprisingly little violence.
Point 7-- It's just a really effing good book.
The final word: If I was in 10th grade, I would like to read Norwegian wood as part of my curriculum. If I had a child in 10th grade, I would have absolutely no problem with him/her reading the book. However, I do understand the controversy, and I understand that some parents may be reluctant to give the book to their children. (Although I think that if parents read the book with their children and had some good discussions, there would be no problem whatsoever. But getting parents to participate in their child's learning... that's a different issue altogether.)
