An Analysis of After Dark by Haruki Murakami

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After Dark by Haruki Murakami was a bitter sweet story made up of mysterious and unpredictable moments which lead to an unexpected finally. This takes place in present day Tokyo, Japan where the lives of several individuals with unique personalities and hidden symbolism unfold through out one night. They each contribute to the real meaning behind the author’s point of view in the novel. It will provide an emotional and personal connection in some way to those that read it.

Eri Asai and her sister Mari once went to a hotel swimming pool in Shinagawa and meet Takahashi and his friend. Two summers later Takahashi runs into Mari inside a Denny’s restaurant late at night. They begin talking and catching up on life mostly speaking about Eri and her beauty. As time continues to pass by Takahashi leaves to practice playing with his band and Mari continues on reading a book. Later in the afternoon a large woman enters Denny’s and approaches Mari, Takahashi sent the lady to find Mari because Mari knew how to speak Chinese. This woman named Kaoru convinces Mari to help translate in a situation that occurred a couple blocks away in the love hotel named Alphaville. Inside on the top floor in a room numbered four zero four lays a naked prostitute covered in blood. Mari begins translating only to find out that the prostitutes name is Guo Dongli a nineteen year old that suddenly got her period which caused the client to burst in anger and abuse.

Kaoru and Mari take the prostitute to get some clothes and make a phone call to leave for the night. The other two employees stay behind and clean up the room for the next guest. After the guy in the motorcycle picks up the prostitute, Mari and Kaoru go out for a drink and recap wha...

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The theme was a reality check for people to appreciate the things in life they have and not to over look the smallest detail that may be closer then expected. By combining a fictional scene during which Eri is sleeping as if hidden all those problems while sleeping, when at the same time real life problems are happening. Like Mari’s story which is so dramatic and real which is something that can occur to anyone at any time in any place without the slightest idea.

In conclusion Haruki Murakami exposes an insight to a world never heard of a mind blowing novel with hard to miss signs. This story unfolds in such a way that keeps the readers in suspense and finally leaving them an idea that can make them appreciate the world they leave in and the people in it. Fiction does fall into reality and expands the idea of what is really out there.

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