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sokhiengtim's review
challenging
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
alva_ra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ledimirnunez's review against another edition
3.0
Murakami again comes to rescue me from a reading slump. I couldn't put this novel down and finished it really quickly, but while I undoubtedly enjoyed After Dark, because how can you not get lost in the worlds that Murakami creates, it will have to be judged against his other writing. That is the territory that you now have to inhabit, Haruki.
What I loved was that Murakami again brought me closer to readers and musicians and people that make my real-life friends much more boring than they are. And I know it's not my friends that are the problem, it's me because I am more like Mari and I can sit at a Denny's until way past closing and feel safe, but are there really people like that?
Anyway, so then we get this film perspective interpolated where we are watching the characters from the point of view of an omniscient narrator and that was cool. I liked that, and there was a bit of magical realism introduced as well, or weirdness, either way I liked it. And so, that may be the point, that as a personal preference I really liked this book. But After the Quake and Men Without Women I liked more. So I can't say I love this, because if I had to choose it wouldn't be the first. But I love Murakami and will always, I think?, enjoy his works.
What I loved was that Murakami again brought me closer to readers and musicians and people that make my real-life friends much more boring than they are. And I know it's not my friends that are the problem, it's me because I am more like Mari and I can sit at a Denny's until way past closing and feel safe, but are there really people like that?
Anyway, so then we get this film perspective interpolated where we are watching the characters from the point of view of an omniscient narrator and that was cool. I liked that, and there was a bit of magical realism introduced as well, or weirdness, either way I liked it. And so, that may be the point, that as a personal preference I really liked this book. But After the Quake and Men Without Women I liked more. So I can't say I love this, because if I had to choose it wouldn't be the first. But I love Murakami and will always, I think?, enjoy his works.
chip_177's review against another edition
slow-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
4.25
pawapat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
repe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ola_oreiba's review against another edition
5.0
I love Murakami so much and this book always intrigued me right from the title and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s a very interesting take on encounters with strangers, opening up, reflecting and curiosity. It’s a very enjoyable and intriguing read and was such a page turned for me! I would read it again.