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A review by klh_2
The 24-Hour Café by Libby Page
4.0
An overall heartwarming tale of friendship and connection set against the backdrop of a London cafe. It centres around two friends who work in the cafe, and also pulls in snapshots of the lives of those visiting.
For me this wasn’t as strong as The Lido, Page’s first novel, though I enjoyed the second half more. I liked the additional stories it explored of very different people at various turning points in their lives, but did find some of these a little forced with not enough space to explore the multiple sensitive issues touched upon. Though on balance I’m glad such different perspectives and experiences were woven in. Hannah and Mona’s friendship is the backbone of the story and carries it well, though the structure meant there was quite a bit of repetition, slowing the flow of the story.
Well worth a read, though, for the tenderness and warmth with which the characters are written, the breadth of perspectives interwoven, and (if you’ve ever lived in London) the way it brings the city to life.
For me this wasn’t as strong as The Lido, Page’s first novel, though I enjoyed the second half more. I liked the additional stories it explored of very different people at various turning points in their lives, but did find some of these a little forced with not enough space to explore the multiple sensitive issues touched upon. Though on balance I’m glad such different perspectives and experiences were woven in. Hannah and Mona’s friendship is the backbone of the story and carries it well, though the structure meant there was quite a bit of repetition, slowing the flow of the story.
Well worth a read, though, for the tenderness and warmth with which the characters are written, the breadth of perspectives interwoven, and (if you’ve ever lived in London) the way it brings the city to life.