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sarahb919's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Definitely an emotional book, although it doesn’t start out that way. Bit philosophical: Although you can’t change the past you can change yourself and do better moving forward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
gabby_jan's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
skylarkblue1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Representations: https://trello.com/c/x4zZsSuI/116-before-the-coffee-gets-cold-1-before-the-coffee-gets-cold-by-toshikazu-kawaguchi
If you've liked other recent Japanese translation works in this similar vein, you'll like this one for sure. The rocky translation is still there, but the last 2 stories made me cry :')
Characters were a lot more prominent in this than say, Food Detectives, but there was still a new story and mostly new characters for each of the 4 mini-stories. I really loved the group who runs the cafe, they were really chill and the book felt really calm with them too. Even for the characters that just appeared for 1 story I felt like I understood them, they were all described and explained really clearly and easily.
There's not too much plot, the stories focus heavily around those characters, their lives and why they've visited the cafe. The first 2 stories where a little rough I felt, it had the usual "this has been translated and is understandable, but it feels like a lot is missing between translations". The last 2 stories though, oh boy. I read the 3rd one while volunteering at the library and I was just sat in the corner, surrounded by kids at storytime, just holding back tears :') Then read the 4th story when I got home and just cried at it. Incredible writing there.
Despite dealing with heavy topics as well and being very emotional, it felt pretty light and was certainly a quick read!
If you've liked other recent Japanese translation works in this similar vein, you'll like this one for sure. The rocky translation is still there, but the last 2 stories made me cry :')
Characters were a lot more prominent in this than say, Food Detectives, but there was still a new story and mostly new characters for each of the 4 mini-stories. I really loved the group who runs the cafe, they were really chill and the book felt really calm with them too. Even for the characters that just appeared for 1 story I felt like I understood them, they were all described and explained really clearly and easily.
There's not too much plot, the stories focus heavily around those characters, their lives and why they've visited the cafe. The first 2 stories where a little rough I felt, it had the usual "this has been translated and is understandable, but it feels like a lot is missing between translations". The last 2 stories though, oh boy. I read the 3rd one while volunteering at the library and I was just sat in the corner, surrounded by kids at storytime, just holding back tears :') Then read the 4th story when I got home and just cried at it. Incredible writing there.
Despite dealing with heavy topics as well and being very emotional, it felt pretty light and was certainly a quick read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
amalas_bookstop's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a really sweet cozy read, more of a slow burn. I enjoyed the patrons and the folks who worked at the cafe. Apart of me wished that this wasn’t written in third person, I think it took me awhile to really get into the story because of that and I think it caused some type of separation between me and the characters.
I feel really comfortable rating this 3.5 stars. It was well written, but did not really wow me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
basil_touche's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I think the only reason I finished this was because I listened to the audiobook. At least I was able to get some chores done while this was playing, otherwise I would have struggled to get through this. This is just a painfully boring book that doesn't flesh out it characters, which in turn made me not care about their stories.
These stories could have worked but very little is actually dedicated to making the characters feel like actual people or, if it couldn't do that, even just entertaining to read about.
It also lacks any subtly, preferring to explain to the reader every reason a character did anything, to the point that it repeats what it just said constantly. It makes it a very awkward reading experience.
Didn't help that for two of the stories characters either made really weird choices or were pressured/guilt tripped by others into doing things they didn't want(Hirai being pressured into taking over a family business she didn't want and treated as though she's in the wrong by the narrative and Kei choosing to give birth knowing it would kill her) which irritated me instead of getting me engaged.
It gets a little credit for the creative coffee time travel method and short length, but I will not be reading the rest of the series.
These stories could have worked but very little is actually dedicated to making the characters feel like actual people or, if it couldn't do that, even just entertaining to read about.
It also lacks any subtly, preferring to explain to the reader every reason a character did anything, to the point that it repeats what it just said constantly. It makes it a very awkward reading experience.
Didn't help that for two of the stories characters either made really weird choices or were pressured/guilt tripped by others into doing things they didn't want
It gets a little credit for the creative coffee time travel method and short length, but I will not be reading the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
rosestormwolf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
ameydireads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“If you could go back, who would you want to meet?”
Mainly centering around grief, regret, and things left unsaid, this book touched me in a way I did not expect. The story plays out in a cafe where people can travel in time. There are many rules attached to this, but the main rule is to drink the coffee before it gets cold. Another rule is that you cannot change the future, no matter what. Nevertheless, the life of these time travellers are significantly changed in the sense that they gain a new perspective in life.
We encounter four people who travel in time and we learn more about their lives. The second story called ‘Husband and Wife’ really made me bawl my eyes out. I can’t imagine how hard it must be when your significant other suffers from Alzheimer and you reach a point where he or she doesn’t recognize you anymore.
There were some things I did not fully understand. For example, where is the woman in the white dress when someone travels back in time and finds themselves sitting at THE seat? Is she on her bathroom break or is it an alternative reality where this woman does not exist?
I also felt that some things were repetitive. The second chapter repeated a lot of the things described already in the first chapter. It does get better though. Aside from this, I would really recommend reading this book because it serves as a good reminder to appreciate the people in your life and tell them what you want them to know while you still can. And we also learn a few things about Japan!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent and Pregnancy
ines_presas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Las 2 primeras historias éstan más o menos entretenidas pero las otras 2 me partieron el corazón y lo arreglaron al mismo tiempo
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
cams's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
callmesheets's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Very fun read! This book was lighthearted, reflective and a beautiful summary and depiction about life. I found all the characters likable which made the story more interesting. I really felt transported to a different time and era with this book. It made me look at my relationships and life with more gratitude. I plan to continue with the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent