Reviews with content warning for Bullying - All the Lovers in the Night

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All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami

8 reviews

sakisreads's review

dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

✨ Thrifted ✨

I wish I liked this book more 😫 ‘Breasts and Eggs’ and ‘Heaven’ were brilliant books so I had high hopes for ‘All the Lovers in the Night’. Unfortunately, those weren’t met 🥲

Mieko Kawakami’s writing is undoubtedly amazing. Her human-ness shines through and I am always a big fan of very realistic characters. However, some of the time I felt like both the characters and plot dragged and I had to pull myself through 😫

3 out of 5 stars for me on this one, thank you ✨

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cecilialau_'s review

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4.0

When first getting into it, I worried that it would be overly descriptive and slow, and I did initially find it hard to reach for it/wanting to keep going.
However, I did have very high expectations but the latter half-ish really came together so well in my experience of it. I thought it was written so well and with such relatability and heart. You get to reflect on life through the life lived on the pages and the interactions (both real, imagined and the ones that were passed by).
I definitely recommend this - and there is such a thing as a right time, and both you and this book deserves that

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sho73's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this less than breasts and eggs
The real strength of the book lies in the last 30 pages
Kawakami has an incredible skill for dissecting people in such a short amount of pages
The relationship between main character and Hijime is what really resounded with me
The transition through our main character healing happens fluidly, sometimes it feels like swimming through murky waters and sometimes a clear fresh spring

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solitary's review against another edition

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3.5

this book is a reminder of how important it is to participate in life, not just watch it occur.

all the lovers in the night follows fuyuko, a mid-thirties freelance proofreader who has trouble connecting with people and life in general. her days are extremely unembellished, with most of them revolving around working from home. no other routines, no hobbies, no interests, and no friends.

the closest thing she has to a friend is her editor, hijiri, whose attitude is the complete opposite of hers. while fuyuko would rather sit and listen, hijiri is unreserved and assertive. for a while, i wondered how their “friendship” worked, and how fuyuko, aloof that she is, found some ease in hijiri and her outspokenness.

the narrative was built up really well. kawakami’s writing reads like a somber, drawn-out scene in a film. on every page, i recognized a bit of myself in all her characters, especially in fuyuko.

the build-up fell to an anticlimactic and somewhat unnecessary part that, in my opinion, gives up the opportunity for fuyuko to finally show some development. and while the central idea of the book roots in her desire to change her life, i would’ve liked to see her actually take matters into her own hands more.

overall, this is a reflective read that made me ponder how different life could be if i participated more. if i was braver. how many opportunities did i pass up because i let the waves of life drift me to where i thought it wanted me to be?

buddy read with ro and lili

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seaoftranquility's review against another edition

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4.0

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edgaranjapoe's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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lk3ssaf's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really like the way Kawakami explores women, their flawed characters, and their relationships with others. The depressive period that Irie went through, her awareness of her passiveness and inability to fix it, and even the moments where she threw all her clothes out to keep Hijiri's instead, are all so real and filled with the nuances that are present in real life.

At some point, near the end, Irie's obsession with Mutsutsuka probably truly was love. When Irie was at the lowest point however, unable to work, drinking all day to numb her emotions, her attachment to Mutsutsuka was a clear sign of depression. To cling onto the only thing that brings you any happiness, and to form an obsession with it is a coping mechanism.

I've noticed that both books by this author that I've read included women in their 30s and up, single mothers, strong interpersonal female relationships, and a fulfilling ending (or the potential for one) for the main character without ever ending up in a relationship.

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rapidtra5h's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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