A review by carolinethilde
After Dark, by Haruki Murakami
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Intimate, soft, and touching, Haruki Murakami’s After Dark is an exploration of vulnerability. What tender, shameful things happen in the dark of the night when everything else is quiet? Who do we become? When we think no one else is watching, Murakami is.
This novel traces the night of a young girl, her older sister, a trombone player, a prostitute, her abuser, and a hotel manager. This book examines them all without judgement and what we receive is a beautiful story of a young girl afraid of opening up to the world, only for it to open itself up to her.
It is a novel beautifully and uniquely written. It is not elaborate. It isn’t long. After Dark is a breathing creature that is rare and requires studying or a strong relatability or its delicate sensibilities will be lost on the reader, but look where Murakami’s camera points and look closely. All will be revealed.
This novel traces the night of a young girl, her older sister, a trombone player, a prostitute, her abuser, and a hotel manager. This book examines them all without judgement and what we receive is a beautiful story of a young girl afraid of opening up to the world, only for it to open itself up to her.
It is a novel beautifully and uniquely written. It is not elaborate. It isn’t long. After Dark is a breathing creature that is rare and requires studying or a strong relatability or its delicate sensibilities will be lost on the reader, but look where Murakami’s camera points and look closely. All will be revealed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Violence