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

dark emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

All The Lovers in the Night is about a woman in her mid thirties, who works as a proofreader and gives us a glimpse into her life little by little. It starts with her work - how she left a toxic job and went into freelance, then a little bit about her coworker, then takes us back in time as a school student and then back to the present where she meets a man in his 50s. All of these help us form an image of who Fuyoko - a timid, meek, anxious woman who has led her life quietly and did as she’s told. 
What I didn’t understand is why there were certain incidents and events narrated that seemed to have not much significance later and felt out of place as a result. The writing was good, but the whole thing felt a little random and patchy to me.
Hence the 3.25 stars for an average read.
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