Reviews - After dark | The StoryGraph

5.05k reviews for:

So this is my first Murakami book, and I really like it.
In fact there is not much happening in this book but it's so engaging, and that's because of the writing. The characters are so interesting and the conversations -which is my favourite part of any book- are so well written. I couldn't but this book down and finished in less than 24 hours.

Also I think this is the first book I've ever read where the author breaks the 4th wall, or I think I should say he used "metafiction" (I have just googled it lol). I didn't hate it, It helped shaping a vivid imagination in my head. Very interesting.

I am glad that my cousin sorta of told my what to expect of Haruki Murakami (I borrowed this book from her), therefore I didn't mind the ending much.

lolabecool's review against another edition

3.5

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I liked it, I didn't love it, but I'll definitely keep reading more of Murakami's writing. It's really easy to fall into and remain immersed in. Some of his prose is just beautiful— the way he described sleeping and waking and all of the levels in between in this book was stunning. Having said that, After Dark isn't a book I'll think much about after having finished it. It was a pleasant but pretty transient experience, which is kind of ironic if you've read it.

evathebug's review against another edition

4.0

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

ashivea's review against another edition

4.75

dark mysterious relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

jan1k's review against another edition

4.75

mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

stephdo's review against another edition

4.0

After Dark reads very much like a screenplay, complete with camera movements and narration in present tense. It's different, and I can't say I prefer this style, but it works for After Dark in particular, especially due to the time-stamp structure Murakami employs here. Themes of sisterhood are really what earned the stars for me - although I enjoy all of the classic recurring elements (here there are cats, and some sort of alternate dimension to name two), it's Murakami's simplistic renderings of complex human relationships that consistently draw me in.