cecinamo's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was such a good book! It was so beautifully written and . It also had very sad parts ;^;… I think the mc was really likeable and relatable, I enjoyed reading the book from her perspective.
Spoiler
I really liked how the ending wasn’t the classic “happy end” but you could still tell that the mc had grown as a person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy, Self harm, and Toxic friendship
edgaranjapoe's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Rape, Addiction, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Dysphoria, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, and Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Car accident, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Infidelity, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexism
spogboy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
only flaw is that hijiri and fuyuko dont end up together (romantically)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Car accident
Moderate: Car accident, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
savvylit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This being my third novel of hers, I think I can fairly say that Kawakami is a master of distinct and heart-wrenching characters. When this novel begins, Fuyoko's life is rigidly routine-oriented. She works and that's it - it's quite sad, honestly. Though Fuyoko's life seems boring in theory, Kawakami's deeply human and straightforward narration keeps it interesting. Like her other novels, All the Lovers in the Night is a book about self-discovery and shirking expectations. At its core, this novel celebrates the ability that individual friendships have to push us to see the world in a completely new way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Rape, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
cinnakuri's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
If I were to choose a favorite out of the Japanese novels I've read so far, this would probably be my answer. Beautifully written with complex characters. Of course, I may be biased because the protagonist is a copyeditor, pretty much right up my alley. Kawakami did a brilliant job in her metaphors—I can't wait to read more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcoholism
afi_whatafireads's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book has been a 5 stars halfway through the book.
""Night ended, morning came, and as I looked out on the blueness spreading into the corners of the sky, I thought about what he had told me, about all the light that was there and yet impossible to see.
It took me awhile to process my thoughts out after finishing this book. It left me with a lingering feeling and that was how I felt when I read Heaven. Kawakami's writing always leave me with that feeling after finishing her book. It made me turn over back to the pages, to my annotations, to the words that she wrote that feels intimate and just close to you.
If people asked me what this book is about, I wouldn't know what to tell you. Its about life, and everything in between. Its about life through the lenses of people, capturing the essence of loneliness in their lives. Its about expressing your thoughts and understanding them through emotions and your body reactions. Its about the feelings of the heart in par with the environment and nature. And best of all, its a book for someone that is seeking for something to hold on too.
I loved how Kawakami described forms of loneliness in here and her Writing is nothing short than beautiful. Its so beautifully written that you get captured and enamoured between the lines. This is a book that you can't help but underline EVERY. SINGLE. SENTENCE. AT. ALMOST. EVERY. PAGE. I love how she takes the character of a shy 30 something-woman, that is mostly introverted and could not speak her heart out, even if she needs to. In some ways, I understand Fuyuko's train of thoughts and how she is desperately trying to understand her course of actions. That makes this book unique, as Kawakami made us delve into different forms of emotions and in some ways, makes us appreciate ourselves and our feelings as well.
And if the writing was lovely, the way Kawakami described and captures Forms of Light in different aspects, is just, incredibly satisfying to read and just so bloody good. Kawakami is able to capture the motions and emotions of the surroundings, giving meaning to something that seems so trivial but can mean so much to a person. Light, in its form, is incredible and I was enchanted by Kawakami, in how it had both left me with regrets and warmth. Its like drinking a hot cup of chocolate on a rainy day, and this book is definitely perfect on days like that. It will warm you up but it leaves a melancholic feeling that will tear you up as well.
In parts of a love story, a female friendship and also, the exploration of the state of loneliness and how different people copes with it, Kawakami had brought out whats the best and worst a person can become. The states of depression that comes with loneliness, the happiness in the smallest things and mostly, the feeling of loving and letting go. This book is so close to my heart, and it is definitely not for everyone, but if you are looking for something beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, I would highly recommend it.
Trigger Warnings : Sexual Assault, Rape, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts
Thank you so much to Pansing Distributions (@definitelybooks) for generously providing me this gorgeous copy of the book.
Disclaimers: All my reviews are my thoughts of the book and according to my personal preferences. Even though I had received a review copy, it does not affect my review and honest thoughts for the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
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