In true Murakami fashion, After Dark meanders through a Tokyo night where loose stories become intertwined. The writing is stunning, allowing the reader to hear the music of the night and feel the loneliness of characters.
Friends of mine have criticize this twelveth novel of Murakami as ‘boring’ and ‘missing a resolution’, but I disagree. I love the pace of the novel (albeit a short novel by usual standards), and found this very relaxing to read. I feel I understood the underlying story of the somewhat estranged sisters, a troubled Chinese immigrant and a trombonist debating his future. I particularly liked the ending, and felt that this edition of Murakami was all-too-short.
I am so intrigued by the distinct, beautiful style of Murakami and I am going to ask a native Japanese speaker (who is a dear friend of mine) to see what she thinks of the Japanese version.
In summary, bring on number thirteen Mr Murakami.
