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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really did not enjoy this novel. I liked the premise, it's just now well executed. I acknowledge that there is probably so much lost in the translation, but the English version comes across so sophomoric.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Cozy novel about time travel, a cafe, and the patrons who come wanting to visit the past. But there are many rules and a ghost who might curse you, but still...time travel!
It's clear this book was written by a man, though I do think that some of the issues I had with it stem more from Japanese culture and societal expectations vs a more north american perspective (that I am coming from as the reader).
The stories of the different characters were alright, but I realllllly disliked the fourth part of the book.
Part 1: Fumiko's boyfriend breaks up with her for an opportunity to move to USA for a job. She time travels out of despair only to come to the conclusion that she's going to wait three years for him instead of moving on with her life.
Part 2: Kotake takes care of her husband with dimensia and makes peace with the fact that he no longer remembers her, but that she will take care of him. Except she goes to the past to get him to tell her about a letter he wrote, when she could have just read the letter in the present.
Part 3: this story was frustrating. Hirai left her home to follow her own desires and in the end feels guilt over the dealth of her sister's accident (since she was coming to visit her to plead her to come home) and goes back home to take over the family Inn, even though that's not what she wanted ever! Her sister also refuses to understand that it was Hirai's decision to live her own life, not restrained to the Inn, and continuously pleads for Hirai to return (ultimately to her own detriment).
Part 4: I really hated this story. Kei gives birth knowing it will kill her, and goes into the future to meet her daughter, but doesn't realize it's her daughter and then has the shortest conversation ever.
It's clear this book was written by a man, though I do think that some of the issues I had with it stem more from Japanese culture and societal expectations vs a more north american perspective (that I am coming from as the reader).
The stories of the different characters were alright, but I realllllly disliked the fourth part of the book.
Part 1: Fumiko's boyfriend breaks up with her for an opportunity to move to USA for a job. She time travels out of despair only to come to the conclusion that she's going to wait three years for him instead of moving on with her life.
Part 2: Kotake takes care of her husband with dimensia and makes peace with the fact that he no longer remembers her, but that she will take care of him. Except she goes to the past to get him to tell her about a letter he wrote, when she could have just read the letter in the present.
Part 3: this story was frustrating. Hirai left her home to follow her own desires and in the end feels guilt over the dealth of her sister's accident (since she was coming to visit her to plead her to come home) and goes back home to take over the family Inn, even though that's not what she wanted ever! Her sister also refuses to understand that it was Hirai's decision to live her own life, not restrained to the Inn, and continuously pleads for Hirai to return (ultimately to her own detriment).
Part 4: I really hated this story. Kei gives birth knowing it will kill her, and goes into the future to meet her daughter, but doesn't realize it's her daughter and then has the shortest conversation ever.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia, Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness
Minor: Pregnancy
emotional
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
I really loved this book. I got really emotional reading it and I can't wait to read the next ones
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received this recommendation from a friend who had been told it was a great book. Unfortunately I don’t have the same opinion, I think the concept of the book is good but the execution is poor. The storyline and characters were flat, I genuinely had to force myself to read this book.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death
Moderate: Car accident, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was like soul food for me. I understand why some critique it, but at its core, the message was so good.
This book is about perspective, which is one of my favorite things to ponder as a psychology nerd. It's about opening your heart and having a second chance at appreciation. It was a quick and emotional read. I loved it.
Would you travel to the past if you couldn't change anything?
This book is about perspective, which is one of my favorite things to ponder as a psychology nerd. It's about opening your heart and having a second chance at appreciation. It was a quick and emotional read. I loved it.
Would you travel to the past if you couldn't change anything?