All the Lovers in the Night

Published by Dar Al-Adab (translated into Arabic by Ahmed Gamal Saad El-Din), All the Lovers in the Night (Subete no Mayonaka no Koibitotachi) by internationally celebrated author Mieko Kawakami is a nuanced, atmospheric exploration of self-discovery and urban loneliness. The narrative centers on Fuyuko Irie, a introverted freelance proofreader in her mid-thirties living a quiet, secluded existence in modern Tokyo. Incapable of forming deep personal connections, Fuyuko’s world revolves almost exclusively around her work and her assertive coordinator, Hijiri. However, Fuyuko’s highly controlled life begins to shift after a chance encounter with Mr. Mitsutsuka, an older physics teacher who introduces her to new ways of perceiving light and connection. Through their gentle conversations and her internal awakening, Kawakami crafts a profoundly moving story about autonomy, body perception, trauma, and the courage required to step into the light.

It offers an exquisitely crafted, melancholic, yet hopeful character study of modern isolation, self-acceptance, and the subtle ways human connection can transform a life.

Ideal for lovers of modern translated Japanese fiction, readers of introspective, character-driven novels, and anyone interested in contemporary themes of isolation, femininity, and identity.