This was easily one of the best books I have ever read, will ever read, and dare I say, the best of Murakami. I feel like this can’t be dethroned, but who knows if I shall come across something even better through my Murakami journey this year. It so effortlessly dethroned his stories which had been reigning supreme for me for years, that’s for sure!

Extremely atmospheric, oddly calm, sentimental and still funny without breaking that spell… After Dark weaves together multiple stories that intertwine in a nocturnal Tokyo where strange things that only happen at night take place. Arguably, nighttime is always authentic Murakami with its bizarrely serene yet almost surreal aura. Unsurprisingly, Murakami captures the zeitgeist of The Night without a trace of imperfection.

I’m heartbroken to be parting with this book. 201 pages were simply not enough. I would have gladly read on for a couple thousand more, and I certainly would rejoice if tomorrow Murakami announced he will publish just more dialogues. I keep on saying stuff in this review, because I don’t want it to conclude, because then the book really will be over. It’s a treasure I will cherish forever.