A deeply moving and insightful story set in contemporary Tokyo. From literary sensation and International Booker Prize-shortlisted author Mieko Kawakami, the bestelling author of Breasts and Eggs and Heaven comes All the Lovers in the Night.
'A brief, compelling study of alienation and friendship; I binge-read it in one sitting.' - Rebecca F Kuang, author of Babel
Fuyuko Irie is a freelance proofreader in her thirties. Living alone in an overwhelming city and unable to form meaningful relationships, she has little contact with anyone other than her colleague, Hijiri. But a chance encounter with a man named Mitsutsuka awakens something new in her. Through their weekly meetings, Fuyuko starts to see the world in a different light and painful memories from her past begin to resurface.
As Fuyuko realizes she exists in a small world of her own making she begins to push at her own boundaries. But will she find the strength to bring down the walls that surround her?
Poetic, modern and shocking, this is an unforgettable novel from Japan's most exciting writer.
'Mieko Kawakami is a genius' - Naoise Dolan, author of Exciting Times
All the Lovers in the Night is translated from the Japanese by Sam Bett and David Boyd.
Review: If a book can keep me enraptured for the whole journey I count that as pretty unputdownable . . . a brief, compelling study of alientation and friendship; I binge-read it in one sitting. -- Rebecca F Kuang, bestselling author of Babel
Kawakami's novel is uncompromisingly candid in its appraisal of the harm women inflict on one another, while never losing sight of the overarching structures that lead them to do so in the first place. Compact and supple, it's a strikingly intelligent feat. * The New York Times Book Review *
Her most accomplished novel yet . . . A contemporary Japanese master continues her meteoric rise into our literary firmament -- Hamilton Cain * Oprah Daily (A Most Anticipated Book of 2022) *
[An] engrossing, fine-boned new novel, deftly translated from Japanese by Sam Bett and David Boyd . . . with this consummate novel, Kawakami's star continues to rise, pulsing against a night that's anything but holy -- Hamilton Cain * The Washington Post *
Kawakami - the author of titles such as Breasts and Eggs and Heaven - has crafted another atmospheric, subtly beautiful novel. * TIME Magazine (A Most Anticipated Book of May 2022) *
Kawakami has an effortless way of turning the mundanity of Fuyoko's day-to-day into detailed occasions that I want to know more about . . . Though the everyday is more interesting than you'd think, this is a book that's really about Fuyoko discovering happiness * Stylist *
In contrast to the many suffocating (western) conventions of romantic storytelling, it is refreshing to encounter a book of such irresistible sweet melancholy. * The Irish Times *
Kawakami has created a rich and notable examination of the varied ways women choose to live their lives and the gains and losses that come with the choices they've made. Kawakami writes with the tender and incisive sensibilities of a poet . . . An unforgettable and masterful work. * Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) *
Candid and searing, Kawakami's latest is another brilliantly rendered portal into young women's lives. * Booklist (Starred Review) *
The author dazzles with her exploration of emotions . . . An invigorating and empowering portrait. It's a winner. * Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) *
Out of all the narratives that I've read that explore loneliness, anxiety and depression, All the Lovers in the Night is possibly the most accurate . . . The book made me feel less isolated in the struggle and after reading it, I made strides to find balance and joy. * Metro *
Kawakami's novel is a sensitive analysis of loneliness and self-discovery. * Observer *