blizznya's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.25
Content Warnings
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
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's definitely the the main hook of this story.
While we don't find out much else about the cafe, the story itself is propelled by the characters' personal grapples and the decisions they make influenced by this magical encounter. 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 English transliteration forms at least). However, the narrative flow does get better and we get to know each character for the distinct voice they have - so that it becomes easier to identify them just from the style of dialogue, which I thought wasย 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 โ
While we don't find out much else about the cafe, the story itself is propelled by the characters' personal grapples and the decisions they make influenced by this magical encounter. 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 English transliteration forms at least). However, the narrative flow does get better and we get to know each character for the distinct voice they have - so that it becomes easier to identify them just from the style of dialogue, which I thought wasย 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 โ
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, and Dementia
rieriereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ๐ด ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ณ๐บ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ถ๐จ๐ฉ๐ต. ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ช๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ญ๐บ ๐ญ๐ช๐ท๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ง๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฎ
๐ฑ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐, written by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and translated to English by Geoffrey Trousselot, was a heartwarming and equally heartbreaking novel.
ย
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.
ย
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.
ย
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.
ย
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.
ย
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.
๐ | 42
โญ | 5
โขโขโข
My Rating System
5 ๐ - Life changing, a new favorite read
4 โญ - I loved it
3 โญ - I liked itย
2 โญ - It was okay
1 โญ - I hated it but decided toย not dnf
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death, Grief, Chronic illness, and Car accident
Moderate: Death of parent, Dementia, and Pregnancy
nick_thebucket's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
I'm sure everyone hates the rule about not being able to change the future, but I think it's actually what makes this such a good depiction of grief.
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.ย
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.ย
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.ย
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.ย
Content Warnings
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
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Pregnancy, and Death
laurendart'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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Death
starryeyesali's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a sweet, short book about a mysterious time travel cafe in Japan. It is translated from the original Japanese and I listened to the audiobook.ย The book is made up of a few different stories, all of which include characters interwoven with each other in small or significant ways. I especially liked the Rules imposed on anyone wishing to travel in time, and I loved the Ghost :) Would like to hear more about her! ย
There were a few points in the story left unanswered, but this book is part of a series so maybe these are picked up in the following books, which I would definitely read.
Some parts of the book were quite slow and I felt things were over explained sometimes. The narration was quite monotone and took me a while to get used to, but once I did it was relaxing to listen to.
Am I glad I read it? Definitely. Would I read the rest of the series? Yes!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance audiobook version of this book to listen to!
There were a few points in the story left unanswered, but this book is part of a series so maybe these are picked up in the following books, which I would definitely read.
Some parts of the book were quite slow and I felt things were over explained sometimes. The narration was quite monotone and took me a while to get used to, but once I did it was relaxing to listen to.
Am I glad I read it? Definitely. Would I read the rest of the series? Yes!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance audiobook version of this book to listen to!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Dementia
fruitbatflora'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It's a bit of a slow start to get into, but once you get into it the book flies by (helped by the short length). The third story in particular made me teary. The sections themselves reflect the gimmick of the book's time travel--they're limited in length/time, but they make the impression they need to in that time. Though you may want more, you don't need more. It's a very thoughtful examination of that "What if I had done something differently?" train of thought that's prevalent in grief and regret. All you can do is move forward and try to do your best by the ones you love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Car accident, and Death
Minor: Death of parent
paizliibubs's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Pregnancy
cow_guts's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
I very much enjoyed this book. The characters and their lives were nicely written and I found relaxing to read even when they are going through rather tough things :) I found recommend this book for people to read and can't wait to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Car accident