Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Wholly unexpected and completely absorbing. I don’t know how best to describe the main character, Joan, except to say that I will think of her long after closing this book.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Kathy Wang's The Satisfaction Café is a lovely novel with hints of whimsy sprinkled throughout. The family dynamics are depicted in ways both sharp and compassionate, and the winding path that ultimately guides our protagonist to one of her daydreams--the Satisfaction Café--is thoroughly compelling. I loved this novel. Five stars.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The premise of this book is quite interesting, following Joan, an immigrant from Taipei to Palo Alto, CA and to her multiple marriages and eventual start of the Satisfaction Cafe, where patrons can share their stories.
However, the writing style makes the whole novel feel like exposition and Joan’s character is pretty matter-of-fact and logical, so I had a more difficult time immersing myself. There’s also long passages of flashbacks to her former life in Taipei, which provides even more distance to the ongoing story. Plus, Joan was a little too stoic for me - she often does not express frustration or anger about the actions of others and she carries on as the bigger person no matter what - for instance, continuing to invite her stepson over even after he burns down her mansion. Plus, most of the people in Joan’s life were pretty toxic, selfish, and superficial, and it became tiring to read about her unfortunate marriages and contentious familial relationships. It was also a long reading journey to get to the opening of the cafe, which was the primary draw for me.
Special thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.
reflective
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:
No
A character study that spans an entire lifetime, it hooks you from the start with vivid, surprising and lyrical prose. From the first page, the narrative is incredibly intriguing. From page one; "Joan had not thought she would stab her husband. It had been an accident (sort of)." I mean, wow. What a sentence! How could you not be hooked?
At 25% of the way through I thought this might be one of my favorite books of the year. The set up is downright enchanting, with anecdotes that teach us who the characters are and how they are motivated. It is hard to think of Joan as a character in a novel, it is almost as if this entire book is a very very long obituary. It centers around Joan and why she is who she is, with all of the detail in her family. If you like the family drama like Long Island Compromise or The Most Fun We Ever Had or The Celebrants; this is a version of those that you will certainly savor.
The book is a long character study, but you will be disappointed if you are expecting a story with a beginning, middle and end. This has several plot points that don't go anywhere or return, highly symbolic but it can be frustrating at times. The title, The Satisfaction Cafe, comes from an enterprise that is not introduced until 60% of the way through the novel. It is about connecting with others, how we create family, how others see us and who we are at the core.
Thanks to @Netgalley and @scribnerbooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own. Book to be published July 1, 2025.
At 25% of the way through I thought this might be one of my favorite books of the year. The set up is downright enchanting, with anecdotes that teach us who the characters are and how they are motivated. It is hard to think of Joan as a character in a novel, it is almost as if this entire book is a very very long obituary. It centers around Joan and why she is who she is, with all of the detail in her family. If you like the family drama like Long Island Compromise or The Most Fun We Ever Had or The Celebrants; this is a version of those that you will certainly savor.
The book is a long character study, but you will be disappointed if you are expecting a story with a beginning, middle and end. This has several plot points that don't go anywhere or return, highly symbolic but it can be frustrating at times. The title, The Satisfaction Cafe, comes from an enterprise that is not introduced until 60% of the way through the novel. It is about connecting with others, how we create family, how others see us and who we are at the core.
Thanks to @Netgalley and @scribnerbooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own. Book to be published July 1, 2025.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated