After Dark

by Haruki Murakami
After Dark cover
Good Books rating 4.03
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £20.00
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  • ID: 3666
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781846550478
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2007-01-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Haruki Murakami's 'After Dark' is a hauntingly beautiful novella that unfolds over a single night in Tokyo. The story revolves around two sisters, Eri and Mari, whose paths cross with a cast of eccentric characters, including a jazz trombonist, a love hotel manager, and a Chinese prostitute. As the night deepens, their lives become intertwined in unexpected ways, revealing the hidden connections and secrets that bind people together. The novel seamlessly blends mesmerizing drama with metaphysical speculation, exploring themes of time, space, memory, and perspective. Murakami's signature style creates a surreal atmosphere where the boundaries between reality and the subconscious are blurred, inviting readers to ponder the nature of human agency and the power of empathy.

Reviews
Andrew Blackman's Blog · Andrew Blackman · 2025-01-02
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel is unsettling and thought-provoking, exploring themes of freedom and conformity. The blend of real and surreal elements creates a unique reading experience.

Andrew Blackman finds 'After Dark' to be a deeply unsettling yet thought-provoking read. He appreciates how the novel raises questions about freedom and conformity, as well as the societal norms that shape our lives. The blend of very real and very surreal elements creates a unique and engaging atmosphere that keeps the reader hooked. He also highlights the eerie and mysterious veil that Murakami casts over certain scenes, adding to the overall intrigue of the story.

Quick quotes

    I'd recommend After Dark as an unsettling, thought-provoking novel that raises questions of freedom and conformity.

    The blend of very real and very surreal creates a unique reading experience.

    Murakami's ability to weave together disparate elements into a cohesive whole is on full display here.

That's What She Read · 2020-08-08
wonderful 4.60

The novel feels incomplete in places but is a wonderful blend of realism and surrealism. The reviewer is definitely interested in exploring more of Murakami's work.

The reviewer from That's What She Read finds 'After Dark' to be a wonderful blend of very real and very surreal elements. While they note that the novel feels a touch incomplete in places, they are still captivated by Murakami's unique storytelling. The reviewer appreciates the eerie and mysterious atmosphere that Murakami creates, and they are definitely interested in exploring more of his work. The overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 reflects a high level of enjoyment and engagement with the novel.

Quick quotes

    It feels a touch incomplete in places, but it's a wonderful blend of very real and very surreal.

    I'll definitely be reading more of Murakami's work.

    The eerie and mysterious atmosphere is captivating.

The Millions · 2007-05-15
compelling 3.50

The plot is irrelevant, but the creepy and inexplicable elements make it compelling. The novel captures the essence of urban alienation.

The reviewer from The Millions notes that in typical Murakami fashion, the plot of 'After Dark' is not the main focus. Instead, the novel builds its appeal through long periods of seemingly nothing happening, followed by sudden, creepy, and inexplicable events. This approach creates a unique and compelling reading experience. The reviewer appreciates how the novel captures the essence of urban alienation and the eerie atmosphere of Tokyo's nocturnal landscape. Despite the lack of a traditional plot, the novel's mysterious and surreal elements keep the reader engaged.

Quick quotes

    As in all Murakami novels, After Dark's plot is irrelevant.

    Nothing happens for a long time, then something creepy and inexplicable happens.

    The novel captures the essence of urban alienation and the eerie atmosphere of Tokyo's nocturnal landscape.

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