Scan barcode
A review by allthatissim
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Before Your Memory Fades is the third instalment in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, and unlike the previous two books, it failed to capture my attention the way the former ones did!
Let me explain why though. Before Your Memory Fades wasn’t bad at all. If had the same kind of emotions, the same kind of connections formed by grief and death, same sentiments. However, the writing felt kind of long, overused and repetitive. Because of the repetitiveness, it failed to tug on my heartstrings the way the previous instalments did.
That being said, these stories, though rooted in grief, always come as uplifting and satisfying. There is a kind of connection that we feel and can’t ignore with each one of Kawaguchi’s characters. Each story attaches us differently and plays with different emotions underneath while working on a similar concept of loss.
The best part of these books is that they are short and to the point (despite the repetitiveness) and aren’t that deep-level character studies, so they are easily enjoyable.
I have the physical copy still I listened to the audiobook because I feel that is the best way to read these stories.
This instalment has four interconnected stories- a daughter holding a grudge for her dead parents to leave her orphaned; a comedian moving forward in life only to complete his deceased wife’s dream of his success; a younger sister all-consumed in the grief of her sister’s untimely death; a young man realising his love for his childhood friend too late.
Despite the third instalment being my least favourite in the series so far, I would recommend it for sure and am looking forward to the next instalment coming later this year 😊
Let me explain why though. Before Your Memory Fades wasn’t bad at all. If had the same kind of emotions, the same kind of connections formed by grief and death, same sentiments. However, the writing felt kind of long, overused and repetitive. Because of the repetitiveness, it failed to tug on my heartstrings the way the previous instalments did.
That being said, these stories, though rooted in grief, always come as uplifting and satisfying. There is a kind of connection that we feel and can’t ignore with each one of Kawaguchi’s characters. Each story attaches us differently and plays with different emotions underneath while working on a similar concept of loss.
The best part of these books is that they are short and to the point (despite the repetitiveness) and aren’t that deep-level character studies, so they are easily enjoyable.
I have the physical copy still I listened to the audiobook because I feel that is the best way to read these stories.
This instalment has four interconnected stories- a daughter holding a grudge for her dead parents to leave her orphaned; a comedian moving forward in life only to complete his deceased wife’s dream of his success; a younger sister all-consumed in the grief of her sister’s untimely death; a young man realising his love for his childhood friend too late.
Despite the third instalment being my least favourite in the series so far, I would recommend it for sure and am looking forward to the next instalment coming later this year 😊