Reviews tagging 'Blood'

After Dark by Haruki Murakami

25 reviews

cpreeta6's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Okay, I am now starting to realize why people say that Murakami is at his best in short books. This book was all about the atmosphere. The fact that the whole book takes place over the course of one night, "after dark" was a clever idea. You could never tell where the surreal and the mundane overlapped. The book makes you think, and question what you read. The conversations are philosophical at times, but hell, who isn't a bit philosophical in the middle of the night?

That out one thing towards the end gave me the ick - it was totally unnecessary, and most people who have read the book would agree. Otherwise, I really liked it, and it was a solid read. It was unlike, yet completely like him to write a book like this one. I am always surprised at the difference between his books and their themes. It completely follows his writing style, but the story? It almost feels like the same person could not have thought of After Dark and say, Killing Commandatore, my favorite among all his books.

The prose was beautiful, and the use of present tense throughout the book made me feel the time ticking away. Also, as the book is a short one, I finished it in one sitting, which augmented that feeling. The reference to the reader as a camera was a bit unnerving, and did break the trance the book put me in at times. 
Overall, I believe it takes a spot in the top books I have read by Murakami.
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em_the_cat's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

“Breasts, breasts, breasts!” Shut up Murakami you’re ruining your own book
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sas_lk's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"You know what I think? That people's memories are maybe the fuel they burn to stay alive."

This was a love letter to the night. This touched a specific place in my heart that I have rarely truly shared with others. This was a story about love, about sisterly love, and simply about life. About the peace one can find in the darker hours when everything feels like it's crashing down. 
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persian_green's review against another edition

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reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

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jessi_c's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I enjoy how the narration breaks the fourth wall, inviting us to float around the city. Had just the right touch of intrusiveness.
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koplomps's review against another edition

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dark hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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risemini's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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jainabee's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Murakami messing with my mind again. A mystery that isn't a mystery. No clues to unravel, no startling conclusions. He'll bring the reader to a moment that seems momentous, and then slyly let it be mundane. And just to be absolutely clear about that, he'll address what you might think he's getting at and tell you point blank that's not what it is. Or you'll think you see a big plot twist and he'll say, nope, it's really what it appears to be. Somehow he fills this stark series of short chapters with lush cinematic details, complete with a playlist of tunes playing in the background of each scene. Or intense silence.
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rosesforreading's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

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lupolucas's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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