All the Lovers in the Night
Ratings71
Average rating3.5
I couldn't stand how unresponsive the main character was. I know it was the point, but I don't think it was for me.
I picked this book up solely because Kriti Sachan recommended it. I didn't read the blurb, didn't know what it was about—I just saw “Japanese literature” and went for it. While I liked it, it's not my favorite.
All the Lovers in the Night follows Fuyuko Irie, a 34-year-old proofreader who lives alone and moves through life in a very mechanical way. She's emotionally distant, both from people and herself, making her feel completely detached. As the story unfolds, glimpses of her past emerge, and we see her perspective start to shift. But does it really change? Will she ever truly connect with her emotions?
This book is, at its core, about deep isolation and alienation. Mieko Kawakami does a fantastic job of portraying Fuyuko's state of mind. Written in first person, the narrative allows us to see the world through Fuyuko's eyes, and it's one of the most beautifully written books I've read when it comes to exploring loneliness.
What didn't work for me, though, was the character development. There's a sudden shift in Fuyuko's behavior that felt a little forced, as if it was written just to lead to a certain conclusion. I also felt like the book could've been longer to really flesh out her transformation. One scene in particular—where she sees her reflection and realizes how lifeless she looks—is supposed to be a major moment, as told by many bookstagrammers, in her character arc, but it felt underwhelming. Maybe I just had high expectations.
That said, I'd still recommend this book if you enjoy reading about characters who feel out of place in the world. It's not perfect, but it's a beautifully introspective read.
I spent most of the book wondering if anything was actually happening. It's not that I didn't enjoy it but the pace was too slow for me. That said, the writing has this poetic quality that kept me turning the pages even when I wasn't sure why. Overall, I liked it more in hindsight than I did while reading it.
Idk what to say about this book. I guess I loved the atmosphere and I also liked learning about Fuyuko's point of view.
Honestly, this is my least favorite from Kawakami. It should've been more straightforward and don't make me talk about that plot twist. Despite all that, I loved the sensations and the main relationship.
“so the mistakes aren't there until you find them”
really enjoyed this book and the discussions about light
A quiet, slow, and gentle read about a quiet, slow, and gentle person is all I can say about this book
