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

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book left me with a lot to think about.

First off, the writing is absolutely beautiful. Kawakami has this amazing ability to paint scenes and emotions with such vividness and detail, yet in such a simple, almost understated way. She captures the nuances of Fuyuko’s loneliness in a way that’s both heartbreaking and relatable. There’s this quiet sadness that runs throughout the book, but it’s never overdone. Instead, it feels real, like you’re peeking into the life of someone who’s just trying to make sense of the world and her place in it.

There’s no crazy plot twists or dramatic revelations—just a very honest, raw exploration of Fuyuko’s inner world and the small, often overlooked moments of life.

The book is definitely more of a character-driven novel than a plot-heavy one. But honestly, that’s part of what makes it special. You’re not reading to see what happens next; you’re reading to experience the emotions and thoughts of the characters. It's not a light read but it's definitely a rewarding one.