In the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, nestled away in a quiet alley, there’s a small cafe that serves more than just coffee. It offers a chance to journey through time, to revisit moments lost and to heal wounds that have long festered. But like all things magical, this opportunity comes with a catch – or rather, several. Welcome to the world of “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, a heartwarming tale that blends the fantastical with the deeply human.
A Sip of Nostalgia in a Cup
Kawaguchi’s novel, the first in a series that has captured readers’ hearts worldwide, introduces us to Funiculi Funicula, a century-old cafe with an extraordinary secret. Here, patrons can travel back in time, but only if they follow a strict set of rules:
- They must sit in a specific seat
- They cannot leave the cafe while in the past
- Whatever they do, they cannot change the present
- They must return before their coffee gets cold
It’s within these constraints that Kawaguchi weaves four interconnected stories, each a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the human desire to change the past.
Four Tales, One Magical Seat
We meet four visitors to the cafe, each with a burning desire to revisit a crucial moment in their past:
- Fumiko, who wants to confront her boyfriend before he leaves for America
- Kohtake, hoping to receive a letter from her husband, who’s battling Alzheimer’s
- Hirai, seeking to see her sister one last time before a tragic accident
- Kei, a pregnant woman who wants to meet the daughter she may never know
Each story is a delicate balance of hope and heartbreak, as characters grapple with the knowledge that while they can revisit the past, they cannot change it. It’s a bittersweet premise that Kawaguchi handles with remarkable sensitivity and insight.
The Flavor of Time: Writing Style and Atmosphere
Kawaguchi’s prose, beautifully translated by Geoffrey Trousselot, has a gentle, almost meditative quality. It’s as if the reader, too, is sitting in the cafe, sipping a warm brew and watching time unfold around them. The author has a knack for creating vivid, atmospheric scenes with just a few well-chosen details:
“The cafe had no windows and the lighting was always dim. Unless one looked at a watch, there was no way of knowing whether it was day or night. The three solid-looking clocks on the wall all showed completely different times.”
This attention to detail extends to the characters as well. Each visitor to the cafe is drawn with care, their hopes, fears, and regrets laid bare in a way that feels achingly real. Even minor characters, like the enigmatic woman in the white dress who haunts the time-traveling seat, add depth and mystery to the narrative.
A Brew of Emotions: Themes and Character Development
At its core, “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” is about human connections and the weight of words left unsaid. Each character’s journey is a testament to the power of communication and the importance of seizing moments before they slip away.
Take Kohtake’s story, for instance. Her desire to receive a letter from her husband before Alzheimer’s robbed him of his memories is a poignant exploration of love in the face of illness. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most profound acts of love are the quiet, everyday gestures we often take for granted.
Similarly, Hirai’s tale of sisterly love and regret touches on themes of family, forgiveness, and the pain of lost opportunities. Her journey back in time to see her sister one last time is both heartbreaking and cathartic, a beautiful illustration of the novel’s central message: that sometimes, closure is more valuable than change.
A Unique Blend: Genre and Literary Merit
“Before the Coffee Gets Cold” defies easy categorization. It’s part magical realism, part literary fiction, with a dash of science fiction thrown in for good measure. This genre-blending approach allows Kawaguchi to explore deep emotional truths through the lens of a fantastical premise.
The time travel element, while central to the plot, never overshadows the human stories at the heart of the novel. Instead, it serves as a vehicle for character development and emotional catharsis. It’s a refreshing take on the time travel trope, one that prioritizes emotional resolution over paradoxes and butterfly effects.
A Cup Half Full: Strengths and Weaknesses
Kawaguchi’s greatest strength lies in his ability to craft emotionally resonant stories within the confines of his unique premise. The rules of the cafe’s time travel create a fascinating tension, forcing characters (and readers) to confront the immutability of the past and the value of even brief moments of connection.
However, some readers might find the pacing a bit slow, especially in the early chapters as the rules of the cafe are established. The novel’s structure, with its four distinct yet interconnected stories, can also feel a bit episodic at times.
Additionally, while the translation is generally smooth, there are occasional moments where the dialogue feels a bit stilted or unnatural. This is a minor quibble, though, and doesn’t significantly detract from the overall reading experience.
A Taste of What’s to Come: The Series and Beyond
“Before the Coffee Gets Cold” is the first in a series that has captured readers’ imaginations worldwide. The subsequent books—”Tales from the Café,” “Before Your Memory Fades,” “Before We Say Goodbye,” and “Before We Forget Kindness“—expand on the world of Funiculi Funicula, introducing new characters and delving deeper into the cafe’s mysteries.
Each book in the series maintains the gentle, introspective tone of the first, while gradually broadening the scope of the cafe’s impact. Fans of the first book will find much to love in these follow-ups, which continue to explore themes of love, loss, and the passage of time with Kawaguchi’s signature blend of magic and melancholy.
Similar Brews: Books in the Same Vein
For readers who enjoy the blend of magical realism and emotional depth found in “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” here are a few recommendations:
- “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger
- “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
- “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez
- “The House on the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune
These books share Kawaguchi’s knack for blending the magical with the mundane, creating stories that are both otherworldly and deeply human.
The Last Drop: Final Thoughts
“Before the Coffee Gets Cold” is a quiet, contemplative novel that lingers long after the last page is turned. It’s a reminder of the power of human connection, the weight of our choices, and the bittersweet nature of time’s passage. Kawaguchi has crafted a story that is at once magical and deeply grounded in the realities of love, loss, and regret.
While it may not be for everyone—those looking for fast-paced, high-stakes time travel adventures might find it too sedate—for readers who appreciate character-driven narratives and don’t mind a touch of magic in their fiction, it’s a must-read.
So, pull up a chair, order a cup of coffee, and prepare to be transported. Just remember: drink it before it gets cold.
Perfect for: Fans of magical realism, introspective fiction, and anyone who’s ever wished they could go back and change just one moment in time.
Not for: Readers looking for action-packed time travel adventures or hard sci-fi explanations of temporal mechanics.
Key Takeaways:
- A unique blend of magical realism and emotional drama
- Four interconnected stories exploring themes of love, loss, and regret
- Beautiful, atmospheric writing that immerses readers in the world of the cafe
- A fresh take on time travel that prioritizes emotional catharsis over changing the past
- The first in a beloved series that continues to captivate readers worldwide
Remember, sometimes the most powerful changes don’t come from altering the past, but from gaining a new perspective on the present. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time for a coffee break. Anyone care to join me at a certain cafe in Tokyo?