A review by rachellen
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I found this so interesting to read. For the better half of the story, I kept wondering ‘how is Fuyuko not addressing any of these crazy things or people with emotion?’ It was only 160 pages in when Fuyiko mentions her drinking behaviour in a negative light, as before then her drinking was described as if she was drinking water. It was so interesting and well done, with the first person perspective dulling my senses to what is bad and what is good, so much so I was randomly remembering details of the bad throughout the days it took me to read the book saying ‘oh. That was pretty bad actually’. It was quite sad that a lot of people seemed to use Fuyuko as therapy, yet something many introverts relate to. 

I would have liked Fuyuko to have addressed her sexual assault from her teen years with more clarity for reader education/sake but this in itself is representative of our society’s rape myths that disregard assaults as assault unless it’s violent involving strangers. 

Very interesting read. Totally agree with the ending. Poetic! 
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