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maddykes13's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Abandonment, Grief, Chronic illness, Dementia, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Car accident, Miscarriage, and Abortion
Minor: Medical content
readyuhbook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Car accident, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Death
litliz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Death, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
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
paradicsomleves's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Grief, and Death
dhiyanah's review
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 ☕
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 ☕
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Pregnancy, Dementia, and Grief
erisouls's review
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.
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
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?
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?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Car accident, Dementia, Medical content, and Pregnancy
bronzeageholly's review
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, and Chronic illness
Minor: Alcohol
hayleyvem's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol