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A review by kyarabereading
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
This is a book that I heard was really sad before I read it, and though I wasn’t as emotionally invested in it as I thought I would be, I still found it to be an enjoyable read that helped me see life in a different perspective. Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a book made up of 4 different (and very long) chapters with characters going through various different issues in the same little café. Their stories teach us to hold those we love close. They teach us that there is so much power in love and in family (whether it be the one you choose or the one you are born into). I loved the way all the stories wrapped up/connected in the end, emphasizing the connections all the characters (and their stories) had.
Some other things I enjoyed while reading were the character work and the use of magical realism. As for the character work, the characters are loveable, and it was great getting to know them and the bond they all share. As for the magical realism, I found the premise of the book (and the rules that came along with it) very interesting. The rules of time travel were tricky to understand at times, but I didn’t think about it too hard, since I think the true point of the book is the lesson you learn from it.
I did enjoy this read, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped. Though the premise of the book was great, the execution could have been better. For one, I found the writing to be pretty uninteresting/unimaginative and, oftentimes, repetitive. There were many times when the author wrote that “x character behaved x way because of x reason” rather than letting their personalities and mannerisms tell us what we need to know. Also, there were times when the author would repeat the same information over and over again, like the rules of time travel or what the café looked like, and I found that repetition unnecessary. These kinds of issues I had with the writing made it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level, which was disappointing.
Overall, I did find this to be a touching book, mainly because I could relate those situations and issues back to my life, helping me better understand the lessons being taught here. I would recommend it for fans of magical realism who enjoy a quick and easy read.
Some other things I enjoyed while reading were the character work and the use of magical realism. As for the character work, the characters are loveable, and it was great getting to know them and the bond they all share. As for the magical realism, I found the premise of the book (and the rules that came along with it) very interesting. The rules of time travel were tricky to understand at times, but I didn’t think about it too hard, since I think the true point of the book is the lesson you learn from it.
I did enjoy this read, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped. Though the premise of the book was great, the execution could have been better. For one, I found the writing to be pretty uninteresting/unimaginative and, oftentimes, repetitive. There were many times when the author wrote that “x character behaved x way because of x reason” rather than letting their personalities and mannerisms tell us what we need to know. Also, there were times when the author would repeat the same information over and over again, like the rules of time travel or what the café looked like, and I found that repetition unnecessary. These kinds of issues I had with the writing made it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level, which was disappointing.
Overall, I did find this to be a touching book, mainly because I could relate those situations and issues back to my life, helping me better understand the lessons being taught here. I would recommend it for fans of magical realism who enjoy a quick and easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Dementia, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol and Abortion