Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Antes que o café arrefeça by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

26 reviews

paradicsomleves's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Grief, and Death

dhiyanah's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I love the concept of a time traveling cafe - what would you say if you could meet someone from the past (or future!), if your visit only lasted before your coffee got cold? It's a wonderfully intriguing concept that serves as the the main hook of this story.

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 ☕

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Pregnancy, Dementia, and Grief

erisouls's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

Loved this book but the blurb on the front is misleading. The whole shtick is that you can’t change anything by sitting in the chair. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Dementia

Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Death, and Terminal illness

Minor: Abortion, Abandonment, and Fire/Fire injury

gabriella_'s review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

But Kazu still goes on believing that, no matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them. It just takes heart. And if the chair can change someone’s heart, it clearly has its purpose.

I like the plot points throughout and felt the world building intriguing. The magical realism elements had a way of grounding the reader while still giving you a bit of whimsy and imagination. I would’ve liked more characterization, but maybe the sequels develop the characters more? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Car accident, Dementia, Medical content, and Pregnancy

bronzeageholly's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, and Chronic illness

Minor: Alcohol

hayleyvem's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, and Death

Moderate: Pregnancy and Death of parent

Minor: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol

lenkusia's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

3.75

this book was a surprise, in a good way and in a bad way. when i started reading it, before i read the last two stories i did think it was completely overhyped. especially the first story, i still think it was completely pointless!!! the other thing i have a problem with it the writing style which i was sure would be slightly poetic and magical, in a way and it actually was none of those things. it was just eh. a big disappointment when it comes to writing.
however. i loved the last story. and the one before also wasn’t bad. and i did end up crying by the end. so for now i’m not sure what to say. it’s not a five star. not even four, i don’t think so. its not terrible but it was a bit disappointing after i expected it to be my next favourite.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Death, and Terminal illness

nojerama's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Dementia, Self harm, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Abortion, Death, Miscarriage, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Grief

cutepatzie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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

It's a good book. It's hard to lose love once and being able to see glims of them is the same amazing but also tragic. I enjoy this book. It's very reflective of relationships between people and how sometimes we did not appreciate what we have. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, and Dementia

thesecretsapphic's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Death, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, and Abortion