Reviews

Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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maketeaa's review

slow-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

4.0

third installment of a series which, as it goes along, becomes clearer and clearer that reflecting on the past is good as long as it helps us move forward in the future. through the stories of a young woman who feels abandoned and wishes to meet her dead parents when she was a baby, a comedian who wishes to show his dead wife that he won a comedy contest before he takes his own life, an older sister suffering from severe anxiety after her younger's sister's death going to see her one last time, and a young employee at the café returning to visit 'the one that got away' before she leaves for america, the resounding message is that we don't know what the future holds for us, but, just like yayoi's mother wanted to see the future she desired, we, too, can create our own future. however, with the theme of death still running through the book, it's evident that the future itself may not be what we desired either way.

nanako, despite reiji's hope to marry her in the future, still passes away

. but what is important is to have hope, hope to fuel yourself to keep going, to see whether that next day will come, to fight for the feeling that a promise of better days gives you.

i liked the overall message of this one but the change of location and new characters felt a little confusing. found it hard to feel as invested as the last installment!! but still very sweet and enjoyable

catschristian's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

spectacledbear's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.75

elisasophie's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

3.5

ajrai's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

gillthequill's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? It's complicated

2.5

2.5 Stars. I don't know why, but this story felt like a dip in quality. Maybe it was the sudden change in locations without explanation, which diminished the uniqueness of the premise. Maybe it was the overly dramatic tone and coincidences. Maybe it was the first story that just left a really weird taste in my mouth. It just felt like this story was a downgrade from the other stories despite the formula. I will admit, the final story did feel well earned with a lovely if bittersweet ending. But still, I'm glad I borrowed this story as opposed to purchase it. I'll still probably read the next book regardless, but this felt like a slog to get through.