viviundworte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, Car accident, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
nicoleanthony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Car accident and Chronic illness
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Death, and Dementia
elderwoodreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Grief, Pregnancy, Car accident, and Dementia
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Cursing
lesejaguar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Minor: Car accident, Death, and Dementia
blizznya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Dementia, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Medical content and Abortion
dhiyanah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
While we don't find out much else about the cafe, the story is propelled by the characters' personal grapples and the decisions they make influenced by this magical prospect. The writing begins in a voice that feels too rigid for the emotional quality of what we're being invited into - this might be an aftereffect of the translation. And I agree with other readers that the character names get confusing as they sound/look very similar to each other (in their transliterated English forms). However, the narrative flow does get better and we get to know each character for the distinctive voice they have - so that it becomes easier to identify them just from the style of dialogue, which I thought was quite impressive.
Overall a poignant and playfully reflective read that touches on big relational themes without getting too heavy. A great accompaninent for quiet time with tea, coffee, or your choice of warm drink - perhaps in between journaling or to unwind after a long day. This book is the first in a series which I'm very much looking forward to dipping into ☕
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Pregnancy, Dementia, and Grief
rieriereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮
𝙱𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚎 𝙶𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚍, written by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and translated to English by Geoffrey Trousselot, was a heartwarming and equally heartbreaking novel.
In a back alley in Tokyo, there's a cafe called Funiculi Funicula that has served coffee for more than a century. What makes this little cafe special, though, is the urban legend that it is known for. The cafe is believed to offer its customers a chance to travel back in time.
The short novel was divided into four chapters. Each part was magical, quirky, and mysterious. And by the first chapter, I had fallen in love with the book.
There are many different reasons why I loved this book. First and foremost, there is the plot. Simple and maybe not so special to some, I found it perfect. To me, it was perfectly paced, and it makes you keep wondering what will happen next. How the book was narrated is another reason. Some reviews say that the writing felt repetitive, and I quite agree. But what makes it tolerable is how Arina Ii executed the narration of the audiobook version.
Additionally, I loved the characters and the little details each one had. Their characteristics and individual descriptions made them who they were. And the final reason is rather simple: I loved that it made me cry. I empathize with the characters' regrets and shortcomings. I also felt their love for their partners, sister, and child. And right after finishing, I wanted to hug them all.
Overall, this was such a great book. I regret not reading this sooner. For those who are looking for a heartwarming book that could be read this weekend and that will also squeeze your heart and make you think someone is cutting onions, I highly recommend checking this out.
📚 | 42
⭐ | 5
•••
My Rating System
5 🌟 - Life changing, a new favorite read
4 ⭐ - I loved it
3 ⭐ - I liked it
2 ⭐ - It was okay
1 ⭐ - I hated it but decided to not dnf
Graphic: Medical content, Death, Grief, Chronic illness, and Car accident
Moderate: Death of parent, Dementia, and Pregnancy
nick_thebucket's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'm grieving someone right now; and it's hard. There is so much I would give to go back and to be able to at least say a proper goodbye, to let them know once more how much they meant to me, even if I never get to see them again. I think a lot of people forget how important closure is because they're so focused on what they lost. Like yes, I would much rather have them back in my life, but that's not how the world works, so at the very least I want to be able to make peace with my goodbye.
The book is really just a reminder to tell your loved ones how you feel, even if it's difficult or awkward and to say what you really mean, before it's too late.
I think the way so many of the people who time travel get choked up is pretty annoying and frustrating, but it's accurate. When the moment finally arrives, when you can finally let the words you've been dying to say out, your emotions clog your throat.
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Dementia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Chronic illness, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
copiani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Dementia, Pregnancy, and Death
laurendart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Dementia and Death