Scan barcode
neyrids's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chahat's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
elfabllax's review against another edition
4.0
quotes:
“Why does the night have to be so beautiful? As I walk through the night, I remember what Mitsutsuka said to me. “Because at night, only half the world remains.”
“When I start to feel emotional about something, I can't tell if I'm actually feeling that way. What if it's just something somebody wrote in a book? Or maybe a line or a performance from some movie... Either way, I get this feeling like I'm quoting somebody else's work.”
“Memory's funny, isn't it? We remember some things out of nowhere, but so much of what happens, we never think about again.”
“As I passed below the haloes of the green and red traffic signals, I was taken by this strange view of the evening, the city streets full of people— people waiting, the people they were waiting for, people out to eat together, people going somewhere together, people heading home together. I allowed my thoughts to settle on the brightness filling their hearts and lungs, squinting as I walked along and counted all the players of this game I would never play.”
"I guess I trust that feeling, whatever makes me like them. Though I don't know if it's really about like or love - I've never given much thought to love ... But what ultimately lasts is something that can't simply change or disappear at any moment ... It's trust."
"No one can make it through this world on their own, that's not what life's about,' and I know that, obviously. I get that, but that's precisely what makes it so important to do things on your own when you can."
“I’d been on my own for ages, and I was convinced that there was no way I could be any more alone, but now I’d finally realized how alone I truly was. Despite the crowds of people, and all the different places, and a limitless supply of sounds and colors packed together, there was nothing here that I could reach out and touch.”
"I mean, that feeling like none of this is mine, like it's just something I picked up somewhere, sometimes I start to think that maybe even that's something ripped off. I'm a real lost cause, I know..... When it comes to love, the only weapon that we've got is our emotions, right? So what can you do when your foundation's all messed up? If that's the state you're in, there's no way you can ever get serious with anybody."
“Why does the night have to be so beautiful? As I walk through the night, I remember what Mitsutsuka said to me. “Because at night, only half the world remains.”
“When I start to feel emotional about something, I can't tell if I'm actually feeling that way. What if it's just something somebody wrote in a book? Or maybe a line or a performance from some movie... Either way, I get this feeling like I'm quoting somebody else's work.”
“Memory's funny, isn't it? We remember some things out of nowhere, but so much of what happens, we never think about again.”
“As I passed below the haloes of the green and red traffic signals, I was taken by this strange view of the evening, the city streets full of people— people waiting, the people they were waiting for, people out to eat together, people going somewhere together, people heading home together. I allowed my thoughts to settle on the brightness filling their hearts and lungs, squinting as I walked along and counted all the players of this game I would never play.”
"I guess I trust that feeling, whatever makes me like them. Though I don't know if it's really about like or love - I've never given much thought to love ... But what ultimately lasts is something that can't simply change or disappear at any moment ... It's trust."
"No one can make it through this world on their own, that's not what life's about,' and I know that, obviously. I get that, but that's precisely what makes it so important to do things on your own when you can."
“I’d been on my own for ages, and I was convinced that there was no way I could be any more alone, but now I’d finally realized how alone I truly was. Despite the crowds of people, and all the different places, and a limitless supply of sounds and colors packed together, there was nothing here that I could reach out and touch.”
"I mean, that feeling like none of this is mine, like it's just something I picked up somewhere, sometimes I start to think that maybe even that's something ripped off. I'm a real lost cause, I know..... When it comes to love, the only weapon that we've got is our emotions, right? So what can you do when your foundation's all messed up? If that's the state you're in, there's no way you can ever get serious with anybody."
solitary's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars*
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 person 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. 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 is rooted 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 book that reminds us of how important it is to participate in life, not just watch it occur.
︴ buddy read with ro and lili
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 person 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. 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 is rooted 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 book that reminds us of how important it is to participate in life, not just watch it occur.
︴ buddy read with ro and lili
bluereen's review against another edition
4.0
“You're right, Mitsutsuka. It isn't anything, but it's so beautiful that I could cry.”
***
I read this book at the perfect time. If I hadn’t been working yet, Fuyuko’s life wouldn’t have impacted me as much as it did.
Most Japanese novels I’ve read tend to focus on introspection, loneliness, and the mundane. This one is no exception. We follow Fuyuko, a freelance copyeditor in her 30s, who’s been living her life with contented resignation. That is until she forms an unlikely connection with a man she meets at the cultural centre. This sets off a chain of events that challenge her longstanding beliefs and mannerisms.
Here, Kawakami acutely explores themes of purpose, anxiety, work culture, and gendered expectations. I would say this is a feminist novel, for it depicts several women who lead polar opposite lives. But despite their status and achievements, they’re all burdened by the standards society has imposed on how women should act, think, and lead their lives. It’s suffocating, to say the least, but it’s the cold and universal truth.
Aside from the lovely depiction of light and human connection, the character exploration here goes deep. While the story was slow-paced at first, it sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions toward the end. She did a lovely job of gradually peeling off the layers of Fuyuko’s character as the narrative progressed. And as I flipped through the last page, it warmed my heart to witness how far she had come.
Overall, it was a quiet and emotional read. It strongly reminded me of the characters in Convenience Store Woman and Strange Weather in Tokyo. I do wonder what it feels like to have read this in the original language, as it felt that some nuances were lost in translation.
***
I read this book at the perfect time. If I hadn’t been working yet, Fuyuko’s life wouldn’t have impacted me as much as it did.
Most Japanese novels I’ve read tend to focus on introspection, loneliness, and the mundane. This one is no exception. We follow Fuyuko, a freelance copyeditor in her 30s, who’s been living her life with contented resignation. That is until she forms an unlikely connection with a man she meets at the cultural centre. This sets off a chain of events that challenge her longstanding beliefs and mannerisms.
Here, Kawakami acutely explores themes of purpose, anxiety, work culture, and gendered expectations. I would say this is a feminist novel, for it depicts several women who lead polar opposite lives. But despite their status and achievements, they’re all burdened by the standards society has imposed on how women should act, think, and lead their lives. It’s suffocating, to say the least, but it’s the cold and universal truth.
Aside from the lovely depiction of light and human connection, the character exploration here goes deep. While the story was slow-paced at first, it sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions toward the end. She did a lovely job of gradually peeling off the layers of Fuyuko’s character as the narrative progressed. And as I flipped through the last page, it warmed my heart to witness how far she had come.
Overall, it was a quiet and emotional read. It strongly reminded me of the characters in Convenience Store Woman and Strange Weather in Tokyo. I do wonder what it feels like to have read this in the original language, as it felt that some nuances were lost in translation.
tjb01's review against another edition
4.0
It’s like having a conversation with friends. Nothing crazy happens but well worth the ride
ryuvm's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
cleoreadsalot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape