Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - All the Lovers in the Night

I initially quite liked how much ‘light’ was explored in this, and how we got to see the main character struggling through life. Gradually though the discussions about what light entails felt forced, like they had to be included even though they didn’t add anything to the story anymore. The conversations the characters had also became more and more frustrating. The protagonist replied to everything someone else just said by repeating the last couple of words the other person said. I don’t know if this is a translation issue, but she either kept repeating the person she was speaking to, or said something like ‘really?’ I really enjoy character studies, and I was interested in seeing how the protagonist would develop initially, but gradually I realised the protagonist simply wouldn’t grow as a person or do anything that I’d find interesting to read about. Early on we learn about her proofreading career, her dependence on alcohol and how work focused she is, but after a while none of this seems to really matter anymore and it simply shifts to her having conversations with people. I quit reading after a graphic r*pe scene, after which the protagonist doesn’t seem to reflect on this traumatic event at all and actually goes on a nice date with her abuser. I had 2 hours left on my audiobook and had planned to push through, but after this I simply couldn’t.

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A reflective book, on a woman who's reached her 30s, and realises she's not fully happy with her life, as she feels she's fallen into everything she's done.

As her birthday approaches, she decides to try new things, such as going out with her colleague and only contacting on her phone, before eventually attempting to join a class at a university. In her attempt to apply, she meets someone who might just trigger the change she needs in her life.

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