Yup! This was my first Japanese novel and well, I’m obviously not a fan. Do you have any recommendations to which Japanese novels are good for newbies? 📚
@@literatureliz91 I have not read from many authors, but Haruki Murakami's novels are encapsulating(except for his portrayal of women), Meiko Kawakami is one of the most renowned, and i suppose Yukio Mishima writes immaculately. You can search from among their writings as you please.
I had a kinda hard time reading the first book because of the translation but when I picked up the second book “tales from the cafe” it finally hit me ,amazing and beautiful tragic story and I’ll surly read the rest of the series, the second book made me cry twice while reading it , it was so good tho
I had the same problem with the book at the beginning. Then I learned that these stories were plays originally, which made sense - you can get away with a lot of repetition in plays because situations can change and turn with every new line, sometimes every new word... So, I attributed the problems with the writing style to the author's lack of experience with fiction. But I liked the settings and the characters, maybe exactly because of the culture differences. It was fascinating.
I haven't read this one, but I read "everything you need is in the library" which is in the same kind of genre. I couldn't stand it for similar reasons, so you aren't alone!
Haven't heard of "everything you need is in the library", but I'm sorry you had a similar experience. Although, I'm slightly pleased I'm not alone with not liking Japanese books haha 😝
@@neverloyaltomybias8217 sure! You might love it, lots of people do! I just found the individual stories to be less charming than I hoped, and there is also a pretty hefty dose of fat phobic language in the book.
Yes! I’m glad it wasn’t just me I had high hopes for the book cuz the concept sounded so interesting and I heard such high ratings. But it was so dragged out and repetitive and they took forever to get to emotional parts 😭 and although it was short there were parts that could’ve been cut out definitely
It's just because the translation is bad 😭 It is directly translated instead of being interpreted and so there is so much redundant information and the flow feels so structured 😭 I promise the problem is the language not the story. The series doesn't deserve this (Even other Japanese books like What You're Looking For Is In This Library has the same lack of flow, which is a translation problem). I do understand that it is hard to even imagine the scenes because of the translation Do NOT watch the movie - the director did not understand the book and it made the rules weird so there are loopholes and does not make any sense
@@literatureliz91 Ahaha I guess that's the only solution we have right now. I make all my friends listen to me tell the story instead of telling them to read the book because the story sounds better even when my unexperienced self narrates it
omg you really know how to talk! That's such an adorable reply. Loved your review btw. I had the same thoughts but was in denial because I liked the premise (and you mentioned exactly that: good idea; language is hard to read)@@literatureliz91
I tried to read it, but didn’t even finish the first story because I found the writing to be so uninspired. I wanted to read it because I saw so many people recommend it, but it really didn’t do it for me.
Oh my gosh, I'm glad I'm not the only one!! I really disliked this book. :/ And then I kept hearing people rave about it and I was so confused! But.... that's part of the beauty of reading. Some books will appeal to people and some books will appeal to others. But yes....Before the Coffee Gets Cold was not for me.
Watched the movie. Not much better. It likely is culture and translation being an issue. I live in Japan, when I watch stuff with my partner, I do feel like most translations are mediocre. While I liked Norwegian Woods by Hikaru Murakami, a teacher I worked with said most Japanese people that don't like his work complain that he writes like an English author.
I didn’t even know there’s a movie as well! Think I’ll pass on it though 🙈 Hmm, that’s an interesting point of view. I just might give Norwegian Woods a go and see if he’s “english enough” for me 🙌🏻
This book felt like it was written in Japanese by AI and translated into English using Google Translate. I'm astounded a book can be so bad, honestly. By page 8 I knew this was written by a man - I couldn't tell if the women in the book made such weird decisions because he's sexist and thinks women do things that don't make sense, or because he is a terrible writer. Perhaps both??? I would recommend The Lonely Castle in the Mirror since you were interested in the premise of this book - it's my favourite book and while it's slightly more YA it beautifully delivered what Before the Coffee Gets Cold failed to. Sweet Bean Paste is also a great short read and is more like what I hoped this book would be from looking at the cover. What a shame your first Japanese book happened to be one so bad!? 🤭
I have had such a hit or miss woth writing styles when its a book that was first published in japanese and then translated into english or my motherthoung. If you are a more writing style reader than reader that favours plot japanese novels are bit more difficult with the way the language is set up and translated
For the ppl in the comment section who's saying the writing is terrible, It's not about the writing exactly it's about the translation. It has been translated into English and that's y it feels very structured and the flow is kinda lost. Like how in films n series , subs r mostly preferred than dubs cuz dubs are not always perfect and sounds bad sometimes . So the case here is kinda like this
Most people seem to be loving the books, and number 2 seems to be the stand out. I’ve discovered them today and starting on number 5, and again, people are singing its praises
I watched this video before I started reading the book as well, at first I felt discouraged 'cause of these bad reviews. BUT, I just finished it today and it is AMAZING! NGL, the translation is a bit...meh. But the story it self is wonderful! Ain't regretting I bought it.
Seriously? I loved it! Its just about personal preference. I think the books are great, and little EVERY chapter made me tear up. This book is so bitter sweet 😭
I personally like the book. The characters and the story are intriguing. The book definitely has some flaws. The biggest thing I hate are all the time travel paradoxes that occur.
I honestly feel the whole problem with this book is that its overhyped and its a clunky translation. I don't usually read this kind of book, but i liked to think of it as independent stories with interlinking characters. Yes the stories aren't amazing but its nice if you want a light read, and the later books expand more on the magic system which i feel like was massively missing in book one. I think it has potential, just should have been shaped a bit better.
I couldn't agree more! I see so much potential in this book and maybe the clunky translation is due to a lot of the issues I have with the book. Someone else said that it was actually based off of a theater play and that somehow makes a lot more sense to me.
I completely agree with you and I hated this book. I do not understand what everyone sees in it. I consume plenty of other Japanese content, I don't think it's just a culture difference. I think the writing is too repetitive and disorganized, I think the characters are flat tropes, and I think the stories are at best boring and at worst problematic.
Yeah, I definitely feel like I'm just not able to see what everyone else seems to be seeing with this book. And the receptiveness is killing me (even weeks after I've read the book haha!)
I hated this book I felt bad for not liking it I kept pushing but I did not like it and even if it’s a different culture the writing should make you somewhat connected to it I love the concept hate the book
Your book slide transition was delightfully funny 😂 Better luck on the next read!
Hahaha, glad you enjoyed the video! I've already had better luck with the last couple of reads - thankfully 🙈
If someone would read this as their first Japanese novel, it would highly discourage them. This just doesn't do the thing! It's so dry.
Yup! This was my first Japanese novel and well, I’m obviously not a fan.
Do you have any recommendations to which Japanese novels are good for newbies? 📚
@@literatureliz91 I have not read from many authors, but Haruki Murakami's novels are encapsulating(except for his portrayal of women), Meiko Kawakami is one of the most renowned, and i suppose Yukio Mishima writes immaculately. You can search from among their writings as you please.
Thanks! I'll have a look and those when I'm ready to give Japanese novels another go 🙈
I had a kinda hard time reading the first book because of the translation but when I picked up the second book “tales from the cafe” it finally hit me ,amazing and beautiful tragic story and I’ll surly read the rest of the series, the second book made me cry twice while reading it , it was so good tho
I had the same problem with the book at the beginning. Then I learned that these stories were plays originally, which made sense - you can get away with a lot of repetition in plays because situations can change and turn with every new line, sometimes every new word... So, I attributed the problems with the writing style to the author's lack of experience with fiction. But I liked the settings and the characters, maybe exactly because of the culture differences. It was fascinating.
Yeah, somebody else mentioned that the stories were plays originally and it makes so much more sense now - but still didn't like the book haha 😝
I haven't read this one, but I read "everything you need is in the library" which is in the same kind of genre. I couldn't stand it for similar reasons, so you aren't alone!
Haven't heard of "everything you need is in the library", but I'm sorry you had a similar experience. Although, I'm slightly pleased I'm not alone with not liking Japanese books haha 😝
Can you please elaborate on why you didn't like"what you are looking for is in the library " because I thought of picking it up.
@@neverloyaltomybias8217 sure! You might love it, lots of people do! I just found the individual stories to be less charming than I hoped, and there is also a pretty hefty dose of fat phobic language in the book.
Yes! I’m glad it wasn’t just me I had high hopes for the book cuz the concept sounded so interesting and I heard such high ratings. But it was so dragged out and repetitive and they took forever to get to emotional parts 😭 and although it was short there were parts that could’ve been cut out definitely
The premise of this book has so much potential. I'm still so annoyed with this book WEEKS after I read it 🙈
It's just because the translation is bad 😭 It is directly translated instead of being interpreted and so there is so much redundant information and the flow feels so structured 😭 I promise the problem is the language not the story. The series doesn't deserve this (Even other Japanese books like What You're Looking For Is In This Library has the same lack of flow, which is a translation problem). I do understand that it is hard to even imagine the scenes because of the translation
Do NOT watch the movie - the director did not understand the book and it made the rules weird so there are loopholes and does not make any sense
Well, then maybe I just need to learn Japanese and I'll give it another go ;)
@@literatureliz91 Ahaha I guess that's the only solution we have right now. I make all my friends listen to me tell the story instead of telling them to read the book because the story sounds better even when my unexperienced self narrates it
@@plum7t sounds like you're a really good friend! 🤩
omg you really know how to talk! That's such an adorable reply. Loved your review btw.
I had the same thoughts but was in denial because I liked the premise (and you mentioned exactly that: good idea; language is hard to read)@@literatureliz91
@plum7t ahaha, well, I do my best when it comes to the sweet talking ;)
Aw, thanks for the kind words! That's so sweet ☺️
I tried to read it, but didn’t even finish the first story because I found the writing to be so uninspired. I wanted to read it because I saw so many people recommend it, but it really didn’t do it for me.
My exact experience as well! If it hadn’t been for this channel I would have DNF’ed it too 🤯
Oh my gosh, I'm glad I'm not the only one!! I really disliked this book. :/ And then I kept hearing people rave about it and I was so confused! But.... that's part of the beauty of reading. Some books will appeal to people and some books will appeal to others. But yes....Before the Coffee Gets Cold was not for me.
I couldn't have said it better myself 😂💪🏻
Watched the movie. Not much better. It likely is culture and translation being an issue. I live in Japan, when I watch stuff with my partner, I do feel like most translations are mediocre.
While I liked Norwegian Woods by Hikaru Murakami, a teacher I worked with said most Japanese people that don't like his work complain that he writes like an English author.
I didn’t even know there’s a movie as well! Think I’ll pass on it though 🙈
Hmm, that’s an interesting point of view. I just might give Norwegian Woods a go and see if he’s “english enough” for me 🙌🏻
This book felt like it was written in Japanese by AI and translated into English using Google Translate. I'm astounded a book can be so bad, honestly.
By page 8 I knew this was written by a man - I couldn't tell if the women in the book made such weird decisions because he's sexist and thinks women do things that don't make sense, or because he is a terrible writer. Perhaps both???
I would recommend The Lonely Castle in the Mirror since you were interested in the premise of this book - it's my favourite book and while it's slightly more YA it beautifully delivered what Before the Coffee Gets Cold failed to.
Sweet Bean Paste is also a great short read and is more like what I hoped this book would be from looking at the cover.
What a shame your first Japanese book happened to be one so bad!? 🤭
Omg i so agree with the sexist part!! His description is truly of a man
I have had such a hit or miss woth writing styles when its a book that was first published in japanese and then translated into english or my motherthoung.
If you are a more writing style reader than reader that favours plot japanese novels are bit more difficult with the way the language is set up and translated
I think I'm definitely more of a writing style reader than a plot reader, but I'll give Japanese novels another go at some point :)
For the ppl in the comment section who's saying the writing is terrible, It's not about the writing exactly it's about the translation. It has been translated into English and that's y it feels very structured and the flow is kinda lost. Like how in films n series , subs r mostly preferred than dubs cuz dubs are not always perfect and sounds bad sometimes . So the case here is kinda like this
Agree!
No please, I just bought the full series. And now you guys are saying me this😭😭😭😭😭
Most people seem to be loving the books, and number 2 seems to be the stand out. I’ve discovered them today and starting on number 5, and again, people are singing its praises
Same
I watched this video before I started reading the book as well, at first I felt discouraged 'cause of these bad reviews. BUT, I just finished it today and it is AMAZING!
NGL, the translation is a bit...meh. But the story it self is wonderful! Ain't regretting I bought it.
Seriously? I loved it! Its just about personal preference. I think the books are great, and little EVERY chapter made me tear up. This book is so bitter sweet 😭
I personally liked the book. It’s not perfect and has some flaws, but it was definitely a great and intriguing book. You should give it a try!
I personally like the book. The characters and the story are intriguing. The book definitely has some flaws. The biggest thing I hate are all the time travel paradoxes that occur.
I honestly feel the whole problem with this book is that its overhyped and its a clunky translation. I don't usually read this kind of book, but i liked to think of it as independent stories with interlinking characters. Yes the stories aren't amazing but its nice if you want a light read, and the later books expand more on the magic system which i feel like was massively missing in book one. I think it has potential, just should have been shaped a bit better.
I couldn't agree more! I see so much potential in this book and maybe the clunky translation is due to a lot of the issues I have with the book. Someone else said that it was actually based off of a theater play and that somehow makes a lot more sense to me.
I completely agree with you and I hated this book. I do not understand what everyone sees in it. I consume plenty of other Japanese content, I don't think it's just a culture difference. I think the writing is too repetitive and disorganized, I think the characters are flat tropes, and I think the stories are at best boring and at worst problematic.
Yeah, I definitely feel like I'm just not able to see what everyone else seems to be seeing with this book. And the receptiveness is killing me (even weeks after I've read the book haha!)
Would u have any japanese fiction to recommend ?
@@hhah23 honestly Kiki's Delivery Service (the book) was very cute! It's close to the movie, but different enough to be worth reading.
I hated this book I felt bad for not liking it I kept pushing but I did not like it and even if it’s a different culture the writing should make you somewhat connected to it I love the concept hate the book
Jeg elskede hvert sukund :D
og hvert sEkund
Du er sød! 🥰
♥️♥️♥️
I just bought this book
I didn't like this book at all
Agree
I think you're the only person who's giving an honest review about this horrible overhyped book
I hated this book
Agreed. It’s terribly written, and I’ve read other Japanese authors.