A review by chris_davies
Before the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
4.0
I found this an enjoyable quick read about regret, hope and redemption. Yes, there's time travel as well, but that solely serves as a plot device and is not really explored or explained (sci-fi fans may feel short changed here.) I liked the fact that it featured a small cast of characters who are almost all introduced early on - this gives the book a certain contained, almost claustrophobic feel, which felt right.
The writing is nothing special, although there's nothing wrong with it either. Perhaps something was lost in translation? I really enjoyed the Japanese setting and numerous small insights into Japanese culture, and there is a certain pleasant quirkiness to the whole thing. Even if it never quite achieves emotional lift-off (for me, at any rate), this remains a charming and worthwhile read.
The writing is nothing special, although there's nothing wrong with it either. Perhaps something was lost in translation? I really enjoyed the Japanese setting and numerous small insights into Japanese culture, and there is a certain pleasant quirkiness to the whole thing. Even if it never quite achieves emotional lift-off (for me, at any rate), this remains a charming and worthwhile read.