Sophie Kiss &
After Dark by Haruki Murakami

11:56 pm to 6:52 am—murakami sets the story within this precise window of time, just before midnight appears and ends right before the sun rises. i’ve always loved the night; there’s something about those late hours, when the world is quiet and half-asleep, that makes me feel more aware of everything. i’ve noticed how sleep deprivation strips away pretenses—my thoughts flow smoother, my emotions feel unfiltered—and After Dark captures that feeling perfectly. as i read, i felt like i was moving through the city with these characters, caught in that strange, in-between space where conversations feel both lonely and intimate. the way the story unravels mirrors that experience—slow, atmospheric, almost weightless—lingering in the spaces between reality and dream, where time slips away before you even realize it.

This book gently draws you into the quiet, early hours of the city, creating a tranquil yet unsettling atmosphere. Beneath its calm surface, it delves into profound themes sisterhood, family expectations, and fractured relationships woven with subtlety but deep resonance. I anticipated a comforting read, yet I found myself increasingly uneasy, gripped by a lingering sense of paranoia. The writing is captivating, pulling you in and leaving you with more questions than answers. Even after finishing, I can’t stop wondering about the fate of its characters.

There is something comforting about being awake at night; just you, the stars, and the millions of others going about their lives. It leaves time for reflection and observation, something rather difficult to do in the busy hours in which it is dark.

"It's not as if our lives are simply divided into light and dark. There's a shadowy middle ground. Recognizing and understanding the shadows is what a healthy intelligence does.” *** Officially adding this to my list of fave Murakami books (not that I've read plenty though). I couldn't put it down, hence I finished it in a day. This novel probes into the things that happen past midnight—particularly how people tend to disclose parts of themselves they can't admit during the day. I loved how meaningful the formed connections were, and that Murakami introduced strong female leads in this story. As always, he never hesitates to leave readers in the dark. Unlike other novels, I don't see this as a problem. I think I've already gotten used to Murakami's trademark.

feels like a fever dream

i wanna pull an all nighter wandering now

Completely devoured this novel— (during) after dark—I love how unbeknownst to me, I was mindlessly reading by the time stamp. It was atmospheric, dreamy, utterly hypnotic and it felt like I was part of the narrative. Murakami’s distinctive style blends so well with the cinematic mood of Tokyo at night. I adore the characters so much, especially love Mari and Takahashi’s dynamics. It was short but it definitely left me wanting more!

“That people’s memories are maybe the fuel they burn to stay alive. Whether those memories have any actual importance or not, it doesn’t matter as far as the maintenance of life is concerned. They’re all just fuel.” 3.5☆? i was told that After Dark is the easiest book to get into Murakami and in a way, it was true! but it was sort of underwhelming? i think i had far more higher expectations but i would definitely try to read more of his books, trying to ignore that the blatant misogyny isn't present. one thing about the book is that all the characters were very fascinating, even Eri, even though she wasn't even participating in the story as an active character, at least. Takahashi and Mari were so interesting, i don't think i would ever stop myself from thinking of what happens to them in the future. as someone who loves the beauty of the night, this book regrew my connection with it. “Time moves in it special way in the middle of the night.” absolutely true.

3.5

It was alright, I don't think I would have finished this book if I didn't listen to the audiobook. I am just confused about what I just listened to, I feel like it was several short stories, but all connected somehow? I don't really understand this book...

I love books that take place entirely in one day / night!! So good and funny. Reading conversations between interesting people is always so entrancing to me and Murakami does this very well

i lost brain cells finishing this novel

★★★★★ // my favorite murakami. he makes the night—the witching hour—seem like a character of its own, as if it is an entity existing with everyone else. almost romantic, just the right kind of mysterious. mari is by far my favorite murakami heroine.

~vibes~

In both style and story, this feels like Murakami on autopilot.

Mayhaps my favourite from Murakami,,,,,,

easily a comfort read for an insomniac like me

Five spot after dark - Curtis Fuller -- is the best backing soundtrack when you read this book at night.

Something about it makes you very conscious of yourself and surroundings as you read it. Sometimes your hair stand on end. You could say it's the kind of mindfuck you gift yourself, happily.

It might be the perfect first Murakami book one should read. Saying that I found this a weak entry in the already amazing Murakami Books I've read. Murakami shines the best in his world building and magical realism and those are the shining parts of this novel. I feel like the plot and character building had to take a little side step because of the novelty idea of making the plot revolve around a series of adventures contained in a Single night. Credit where the credit is due; The writing is beautiful. The proses are poetic. I know I'll come to love this book even more after re-reading. It reads like a book that should be savoured not rushed. "Is action merely the incidental product of thought, or is thought the consequential product of action?"

I lost my love for reading years ago, and I think this book just bring it back to life. It was really beautifully written and easy to read. Felt like I was enveloped in an eerie atmosphere when reading it and it was definitely an amazing experience. I definitely recommend it to people like me, who are seeking to get back in touch with reading.

i had a nightmare about this book last night

Loved it! Love Murakami, and this particular one had a lot of parts that really spoke to my own life. I love the vignette style of telling a story based on very small interactions and how they all connect, this book was so interesting, very slice of life, and extremely atmospheric.

The half a star missing for a full 5 is because I would have loved to see the businessman actually get punished for what he did in the hotel, his story felt like it ended very abruptly compared to every other character

"Wherever the intention of each might lie, we are together being carried along at the same speed down the same river of time." I thought this was a good, tight representation of what Murakami is. Mari, sitting alone late at night reading at a family restaurant, is interrupted by someone sitting down with her to talk. Over the course of the night we get to know Mari a little bit, visit her sister Eri, and experience a bit of a surreal look into these two sisters' lives. The sun rises, and the story ends. I loved the late night aesthetic, and think Murakami really nailed it setting-wise. I also really liked the incorporation of timestamps, essentially, for each chapter. It really made everything feel more real and alive, in a weird way. I had lots of questions when I finished the book, but that's par for the course with Murakami stories. Lots of references go over my head, but I love the scenes he paints too much to be bothered by that.