The Cafe on the Edge of the World: A Story About the Meaning of Life

Name: The Cafe on the Edge of the World: A Story About the Meaning of Life
SKU: 7942
Availability: InStock

4.2 | 8,825 ratings

Price: 6.08

Last update: 01-11-2025

Top reviews from the United States

Eric Kauffman

Great book!

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024

I purchased this book with understanding that it appealed to people who are around age 50. I started reading it on vacation and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. The main idea of the book is inspiring and helps one to evaluate their life’s meaning and pathway toward a self fulfilling prophecy. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is inspired to live an unforgettable life.

jesica love

Purpose For Existing

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024

This one is pretty clear from the title. John is on vacation from his job that he doesn’t love. He gets lost, is starving, and about to run out of gas when he finds a Café. So he goes in and his life changes.
On the back of the menu are three questions:
Why are you here?
Do you fear death?
Are you fulfilled?
With the help of the staff and another patron, John starts to think about his life and starts working towards his own Purpose For Existing. It’s about how so much of what we do is what we’re told to do or what we think we’re supposed to be doing. And how maybe we need something different from what society tells us we do. It was a super fast and sweet read and is definitely food for thought.

Patty Meister

It makes you think. It gives you hope.

Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2021

First off, what it is and what it isn’t.

It is a life-changing read. Simple to get through, although you’ll likely find yourself pausing to stop and think in a number of different places throughout the book. Easy to understand because it’s written conversationally. Lots of thought-provoking stories within the story, like the one about the green sea turtle.

What it isn’t. It isn’t, a how to book. So if you’re looking for technical content with exercises at the end of every chapter, this isn’t for you. It’s not a long book either. So if you’re looking for a deep technical study into the meaning of life, keep looking. This is a short, simple story. It’s also not a book full of fancy language. The whole story takes place in a remote, random cafe, so the content is mostly in the form of conversations between the main characters who use everyday language.

Here’s what I loved about it.

1. It made me think. It’s still making me think, actually. The questions on the menu are a big part of that - Why are you here? Do you fear death? Are you fulfilled? There’s a lot more too.

2. It gives me a different way to look at life. The part about the green sea turtle in particular is a concept which was really eye opening.

3. It gives me hope. Somehow I’ve always had the sense there was supposed to be more to life than the day in, day out. Something in this little book helps me realize there is. It doesn’t tell me the answer, but it sure does inspire me that there’s an answer out there for me.

Highly, highly recommend.

Lizzy-Lizzy

I read it once.

Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024

It was an interesting concept, one that I appreciated, but in my opinion, the story wasn't well crafted. I've read a lot and a wide variety of genres and this was kinda rocky (?)

Michelle W.

Mind Blown

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024

My counselor told me about this book, I didn’t want to read it because I thought it was a self help book. When she mentioned it the second time, as I was getting ready to take a trip to the mountains by myself, I looked in to it and saw that it was in fact a story, which initially I thought was fiction. I do much better with fiction and figured it just had some life lessons to ponder. So you can imagine my surprise and if I’m honest, increased intrigue, when I realized it was a true story. I was blown away at how, like John found himself at the cafe at just the right time in his life, I too picked up this book at a time when it hit home hard, right where I am at in my journey!!! Read it in 1/2 a day in one sitting!!! And have already recommended it to 4 people!! Great read!!

Carol M.

Good Read

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024

Good story. Well written. Someone else said it would be a good book for a young person, but I think young or older could benefit. For those believing they are "too old" or "it's too late" to change their life, that's not true. Do it before time runs out.

Cindy B

Simple but good!

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024

This was a nice read. The book makes a good point & is presented in a fun, enjoyable way!

Cathy D. Maxfield

Great thought provoking read

Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024

This was a short book. I read it in just a couple of hours. But it’s powerful! Now on to find my PFE!

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