After Dark

What a whirlwind of emotions. Anxiety, terror, comfort, and compassion. So many themes explored: how we can never really truly understand anyone, even though it's perhaps the greatest desire of any human; how memories are so cherished yet so frightening; how there's so much danger hiding in the darkness. I enjoyed reading this book so much, but God did it mess with my emotions. That's just what any good work of art does though, isn't it?

mild spoiler Many people complain about a lack of an ending. In my opinion, that's Murakami saying “the ending of the story doesn't matter. Consider what has happened and reflect.” Journey before destination!