i have really enjoyed murakami books in the past, so i was quite looking forward to reading this one. after dark feels more like a long short story than a novel. you're never really told what's going on in a murakami book, and this story is no exception. but, if you are willing to go along for the ride, then it's a fun, quick read. it felt more like a friend was telling me about a movie they had written rather than it felt like i was reading a novel. hard to explain, but if you read this book, you will understand.