aleilvandrea's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Dementia, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
heyitscin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
I have been curious about this book for awhile! I felt like I saw it everywhere. I suggest not listening to this at work because some of the material is quite heavy and emotional but it is interesting nonetheless and very thought provoking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Dementia, and Death
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
In a backstreet cafe, regular customers visit for expertly made coffee, the staff who have become friends and the opportunity to step away from their daily lives. But there's an extra offer available in this place; if you sit in the right seat, you can travel in time for a few moments to right a wrong, say the words you meant to say or look upon the face of your loved one in happier times. As long as you follow the rules and finish your coffee before it gets cold.
A beautiful yet simple premise, with clearly defined rules to prevent things becoming outlandish, this is a cosy, comforting read. Essentially the story is comprised of four vignettes, all tied together by the cafe and its staff. And yet, each story comes together to add something to the whole cast of characters, giving it something of a 'found family' vibe.
Each person who chooses to take the trip does so for reasons that are so understandable and relatable; I'm sure most of us have wished that we could time travel for at least one of the reasons they have. The fact that it's so gentle - no-one is looking to profit from it, there's no scores to settle or ugly selfishness in here - is just lovely, and the fact that there's no complicated explanations or justification for why you can time travel just in that seat, in that cafe actually makes the whole thing more believable and 'real'; I could be easily convinced you could stumble across this cafe in a city backstreet somewhere.
Unfortunately however, I do think something has probably quite literally been lost in translation. The plot feels like it should read almost poetically, and something tells me in the original Japanese it probably does, but the prose in English is quite clunky, giving it an 'amateur writer' feel. There's a lot of telling rather than showing, and in places it can be quite hard to follow the thread of the action. Likewise, some of the characters come off the page far better than others, but I can't say that I felt like I could picture or grasp onto any of them fully. The book does speak to its audience, and I can imagine if you are an 'emotional' reader this will hit you right in the feels, but for me there was just something lacking in the sensitivity of the writing (whether from the author or the translator I can't quite tell) that detracted from the overall effect.
I understand that this is an adaptation of a stage play written by the author, and I can definitely see that working; the piece absolutely comes across like it would suit the visual performance format of the theatre, and would probably have a more visceral impact on the audience if well acted and produced.
One to make you think and feel, and leave a warm glow in your insides on a cold and rainy day.
A beautiful yet simple premise, with clearly defined rules to prevent things becoming outlandish, this is a cosy, comforting read. Essentially the story is comprised of four vignettes, all tied together by the cafe and its staff. And yet, each story comes together to add something to the whole cast of characters, giving it something of a 'found family' vibe.
Each person who chooses to take the trip does so for reasons that are so understandable and relatable; I'm sure most of us have wished that we could time travel for at least one of the reasons they have. The fact that it's so gentle - no-one is looking to profit from it, there's no scores to settle or ugly selfishness in here - is just lovely, and the fact that there's no complicated explanations or justification for why you can time travel just in that seat, in that cafe actually makes the whole thing more believable and 'real'; I could be easily convinced you could stumble across this cafe in a city backstreet somewhere.
Unfortunately however, I do think something has probably quite literally been lost in translation. The plot feels like it should read almost poetically, and something tells me in the original Japanese it probably does, but the prose in English is quite clunky, giving it an 'amateur writer' feel. There's a lot of telling rather than showing, and in places it can be quite hard to follow the thread of the action. Likewise, some of the characters come off the page far better than others, but I can't say that I felt like I could picture or grasp onto any of them fully. The book does speak to its audience, and I can imagine if you are an 'emotional' reader this will hit you right in the feels, but for me there was just something lacking in the sensitivity of the writing (whether from the author or the translator I can't quite tell) that detracted from the overall effect.
I understand that this is an adaptation of a stage play written by the author, and I can definitely see that working; the piece absolutely comes across like it would suit the visual performance format of the theatre, and would probably have a more visceral impact on the audience if well acted and produced.
One to make you think and feel, and leave a warm glow in your insides on a cold and rainy day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Abortion, Death, Car accident, Grief, and Pregnancy
fairyko's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.75
This book was a recommendation by a friend and judging by who recommended this to me, I should already have been careful. Because usually, this friend's recommendations are awesome, but in a way that they break your heart into a million tiny pieces. And then they put it back together and you will cry and bawl your eyes out and it will feel like a therapy-replacement and you will carry those books in your heart for the rest of your life. And this wasn't any different.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold plays into some of my biggest fears. The fear of being forgotten by a loved one and the fear of losing a loved one. And all of this hurt so much. I've spent at least half of the time reading through teary eyes. But still, this book somewhat was able to ease my fears. It helped me see all these things through a different lens, giving me a new perspective on all these matters. And this is all I ever could have asked for.
I am beyond thankful I got to read this book.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold plays into some of my biggest fears. The fear of being forgotten by a loved one and the fear of losing a loved one. And all of this hurt so much. I've spent at least half of the time reading through teary eyes. But still, this book somewhat was able to ease my fears. It helped me see all these things through a different lens, giving me a new perspective on all these matters. And this is all I ever could have asked for.
I am beyond thankful I got to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I initially had low expectations of this book because it doesn't look or sound like anything I'd typically pick up, so if it weren't for the book club I'm in, I probably would have never read it. I'm glad the book proved to be much better than what I expected! I wouldn't say I loved it, but it was a nice story, easy to read, with a satisfactory ending. I can see how this was easily expanded into a series, but one book is enough for me.
The main thing I was worried about was that the story would be repetitive/redundant, and it kind of was at first but then it got better. Overall, even though it's still not exactly my kind of book, I can see why people like it and can appreciate the author's work, so I gave it 4/5 stars.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes cozy light fantasy, slice of life, and novellas! This is kind of like four stories rolled into one. Just be aware that it's a little bit repetitive at times, especially the first volume.
The main thing I was worried about was that the story would be repetitive/redundant, and it kind of was at first but then it got better. Overall, even though it's still not exactly my kind of book, I can see why people like it and can appreciate the author's work, so I gave it 4/5 stars.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes cozy light fantasy, slice of life, and novellas! This is kind of like four stories rolled into one. Just be aware that it's a little bit repetitive at times, especially the first volume.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Death, Grief, and Dementia
weeptchi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, and Death
bluedilly's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Pregnancy, Grief, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Car accident, Death, Alcohol, and Medical content
Minor: Abortion
timmi_prvt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Great story with some really emotional moments that brought tears to my eyes.
The novel would‘ve benefitted from a more vivid language.
The novel would‘ve benefitted from a more vivid language.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Dementia
gossameralbum's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
i didn't particularly care for the first or third story, however the second story made me silently cry, my heart broke into pieces when i realized what was happening in the last one.
fumiko's story felt so superficial and shallow that i didn't know if i was going to continue reading the book however, as pages go by you end up loving the characters as if they're a part of your life. i'd say it's a book worth reading as it is very atmospheric and it makes you reflect & feel a certain tenderness about living.
fumiko's story felt so superficial and shallow that i didn't know if i was going to continue reading the book however, as pages go by you end up loving the characters as if they're a part of your life. i'd say it's a book worth reading as it is very atmospheric and it makes you reflect & feel a certain tenderness about living.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Car accident and Gun violence
hodgeonlucy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, and Car accident