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inderlander 's review for:
After Dark
by Haruki Murakami
Let me begin by saying that I do not usually write reviews or notes on books I've read - I use my Goodreads account as my own personal rating system to make up for my sieve-like memory's shortcomings with regard to the many books I consume. That said, After Dark has inspired me to do something a little different. This is not a review as such; there are plenty of those out there. These are simply my ramblings on a book which has captured my attention far more than most, and more than I had imagined it possibly could.
This is my first time reading anything more than very short excerpts by Murakami. I have avoided his works up to this point largely due to the "hype" I perceived to be surrounding him; typically I find such authors to be overrated, and I rarely enjoy popular bestsellers/award winners. The couple of excerpts and synopses I had skimmed did nothing to pique my interest. However, an acquaintance spoke so passionately about Murakami's writing that I decided it was finally time to get over my prejudices and give one of his books a shot. And boy, am I glad I did.
I chose After Dark as my first introduction to Murakami simply because the theme was one of the most appealing to me. Reviews also lead me to believe it would be a good, gentle introduction to the slightly less familiar style of writing.
Those reviews were right. I sat down as the sun was setting and I began to read - just a chapter or two before bed, of course. I wasn't expecting much, and I wasn't particularly engaged for the first couple of chapters or so. I don't know when it all changed, but the next thing I knew, I was closing the book after the final page and slowly blinking, trying to work out where I was and why it wasn't sunrise. I even went to my window and opened the curtains, still trying to figure out why it didn't feel right - my clock couldn't possibly be accurate. It's just before 7am, surely? Why isn't it getting light, and why is nothing moving and no one preparing for the incoming day? It took some time to return to the real world once again.
It's been a while since a book has pulled me in and transported me quite so completely into a different realm. I have found myself mentally wandering back in throughout the day, contemplating how Murakami possibly managed to paint such vivid pictures and surreal perspectives in my mind. Some of his words have resonated with me in such a way that they are almost haunting me, beautifully so.
This book will stay with me for some time. I think it may even become one of the few which I read over and over. I have always had an immense passion and fascination for words and language, and the ways in which they can be used both to little and great effect. I've been drifting away from that in recent months, but the beautiful craftsmanship of After Dark has reawakened something within me; that love of the written word and appreciation of the kind of story-telling that leaves you dazed and wanting more.
It's not often that my instincts about books or authors are proven so wrong. I regret not reading After Dark sooner, and I cannot wait to delve deeper into Murakami's works.
This is my first time reading anything more than very short excerpts by Murakami. I have avoided his works up to this point largely due to the "hype" I perceived to be surrounding him; typically I find such authors to be overrated, and I rarely enjoy popular bestsellers/award winners. The couple of excerpts and synopses I had skimmed did nothing to pique my interest. However, an acquaintance spoke so passionately about Murakami's writing that I decided it was finally time to get over my prejudices and give one of his books a shot. And boy, am I glad I did.
I chose After Dark as my first introduction to Murakami simply because the theme was one of the most appealing to me. Reviews also lead me to believe it would be a good, gentle introduction to the slightly less familiar style of writing.
Those reviews were right. I sat down as the sun was setting and I began to read - just a chapter or two before bed, of course. I wasn't expecting much, and I wasn't particularly engaged for the first couple of chapters or so. I don't know when it all changed, but the next thing I knew, I was closing the book after the final page and slowly blinking, trying to work out where I was and why it wasn't sunrise. I even went to my window and opened the curtains, still trying to figure out why it didn't feel right - my clock couldn't possibly be accurate. It's just before 7am, surely? Why isn't it getting light, and why is nothing moving and no one preparing for the incoming day? It took some time to return to the real world once again.
It's been a while since a book has pulled me in and transported me quite so completely into a different realm. I have found myself mentally wandering back in throughout the day, contemplating how Murakami possibly managed to paint such vivid pictures and surreal perspectives in my mind. Some of his words have resonated with me in such a way that they are almost haunting me, beautifully so.
This book will stay with me for some time. I think it may even become one of the few which I read over and over. I have always had an immense passion and fascination for words and language, and the ways in which they can be used both to little and great effect. I've been drifting away from that in recent months, but the beautiful craftsmanship of After Dark has reawakened something within me; that love of the written word and appreciation of the kind of story-telling that leaves you dazed and wanting more.
It's not often that my instincts about books or authors are proven so wrong. I regret not reading After Dark sooner, and I cannot wait to delve deeper into Murakami's works.