Ratings17
Average rating3.3
Originally published under the title, The Why Are You Here Cafe. This book became a #1 best seller in 2009 under the title, The Why Cafe. It has been translated into 21 languages and has been called a "Jonathan Livingston Seagull for the 21st Century." The story shares the experience of a young man named John, who is struggling to find his place in life. After getting terribly lost while heading out on a driving trip, John finds himself at a tiny little cafe in a location so remote it sits in the middle, of the middle, of nowhere. Intent only on refueling, John ends up finding sustenance of an entirely different kind. In addition to the specials of the day, the menu lists three questions for diners to ponder. Why are you here? Do you fear death? Are you fulfilled. With the questions as food for thought, and the guidance of three people he meets in the cafe, John embarks on a journey of self-discovery that takes him from the executive suites of the advertising world, to the surf of Hawaii's coastline. Along the way he discovers a new way to look at life, himself, and just how much you can learn from a green sea turtle.
Featured Series
3 primary booksThe Why Café is a 3-book series with 3 released primary works first released in 2003 with contributions by John P. Strelecky.
Reviews with the most likes.
2-2.5 stars. It had a good message and I loved the premise of a philosophical café, but the writing style was a little hackneyed and overly simple in an annoying manner (such as the obvious food metaphor, and the ‘how does she know what I'm thinking' trope that's poorly done). However, I did appreciate the golf anecdote. Also, I was familiar with the fisherman's tale, although I prefer Jutta Bauer's little book called ‘Selma' about a sheep who has found contentment.
I'm not currently in a place in my life where I needed this book, but maybe it will be a better fit for others.
Eine nette, kleine Geschichte über den Sinn des Lebens. An sich wird man angeregt, sich über diese Fragen “Warum bin ich hier?” “Fülle ich ein erfülltes Leben?” “Habe ich Angst vor dem Tod” nachzudenken. Jedoch sind diese nicht neu - die Erläuterungen gehen auch nicht sonderlich in die Tiefe. Jedoch hat der Autor es geschafft, diese in eine simple Geschichte zu integrieren - leicht verständlich für jedermann.
Der Grund, warum ich nur drei Sterne gebe ist, dass ich mir tiefgründigeres erhofft habe. Wenn man aber generelle Denkanstöße braucht oder eine nette Zwischendurch-Lektüre, ist das Buch eine gute Wahl.