All the Lovers in the Night

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.