Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

There’s something magical about a cozy café—the aroma of freshly ground beans, the gentle hum of conversation, the way time seems to slow down as you savor each sip. But what if that café could literally transport you through time? This is the enchanting premise behind Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s bestselling “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” series, which returns for a fourth heartwarming installment with “Before We Say Goodbye.”

A Familiar Blend with Fresh Notes

For fans of the series, stepping back into Café Funiculi Funicula feels like coming home. The subterranean Tokyo café with its warm sepia lighting, ticking clocks, and that special seat that allows patrons to travel to the past remains as inviting and mysterious as ever. And while the rules of time travel haven’t changed—you can only meet people who have visited the café, you can’t change the present, and you must return before your coffee gets cold—Kawaguchi finds new ways to tug at our heartstrings with four interconnected tales of love, loss, and missed connections.

Four Shots of Emotion

As in previous books, we follow a quartet of visitors to the café, each grappling with regret and seeking closure:

The Husband with Something Left to Say

Professor Kadokura, an eccentric archaeologist, seeks to travel back and express his gratitude to his wife before she falls into a vegetative state. His journey is both amusing (his fascination with being “cursed” by the café’s resident ghost is a highlight) and deeply moving as he realizes the depth of his feelings.

The Woman Who Couldn’t Bid Her Dog Farewell

Sunao’s story of wanting to say goodbye to her beloved dog Apollo is perhaps the most universally relatable. Kawaguchi deftly captures the profound bond between humans and their animal companions, while exploring themes of guilt and acceptance.

The Woman Who Couldn’t Answer a Proposal

Hikari’s tale adds a bittersweet romance to the mix. Her journey back to the moment of her boyfriend’s proposal reveals hidden depths to their relationship and forces her to confront her own fears about commitment.

The Daughter Who Drove Her Father Away

The final story, centered on Michiko’s regret over her last interaction with her father before the devastating 2011 tsunami, packs the strongest emotional punch. It’s a poignant exploration of family, forgiveness, and the weight of words left unsaid.

A Master of Magical Realism

Kawaguchi’s strength lies in his ability to blend the fantastical premise with achingly human moments. The time travel aspect, while central to the plot, never overshadows the emotional core of each story. Instead, it serves as a lens through which characters (and readers) can examine the complexities of relationships, the nature of regret, and the preciousness of time itself.

The author’s prose, beautifully translated by Geoffrey Trousselot, has a gentle, almost meditative quality. Descriptions of the café and its inhabitants are vivid without being overly flowery, allowing readers to easily immerse themselves in the atmosphere. Dialogue feels natural and often carries surprising emotional weight, especially in moments of revelation or farewell.

The Café’s Expanded Universe

While “Before We Say Goodbye” can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, longtime readers will appreciate the subtle connections to previous books. Familiar faces like Nagare (the café’s owner), Kazu (the enigmatic waitress), and Fumiko (a recurring customer) provide a sense of continuity. Their presence also allows for some intriguing hints at the café’s larger mythology, particularly regarding Kazu’s connection to the ghostly woman in white.

A Bittersweet Aftertaste

The book’s central theme—that we cannot change the past, only our perspective on it – might initially feel frustrating to some readers. After all, isn’t the appeal of time travel the ability to fix our mistakes? But Kawaguchi argues that true growth comes not from altering events, but from confronting our regrets and finding ways to move forward.

This message is delivered with a light touch, never feeling preachy or overly sentimental. Instead, each character’s journey feels authentic, with moments of humor balancing out the heavier emotional beats. The inability to change the present also adds tension to each encounter, as characters grapple with what to say knowing their words can’t alter the outcome.

A Few Grounds for Criticism

While “Before We Say Goodbye” is a strong addition to the series, it’s not without its flaws. The rigid structure of four separate stories, while effective, can sometimes feel formulaic. Some readers might wish for more variation in the café’s clientele or a deeper exploration of the mechanics behind its time travel abilities.

Additionally, the book’s pacing can occasionally feel uneven. Certain stories (particularly Michiko’s) might benefit from a bit more development, while others occasionally linger too long on explanations of the café’s rules that will be familiar to returning readers.

A Satisfying Brew in a Beloved Series

Despite these minor quibbles, “Before We Say Goodbye” is a worthy continuation of the “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” series. Kawaguchi’s talent for crafting intimate, emotionally resonant stories shines through, making this an ideal read for anyone who enjoys character-driven magical realism with a dash of melancholy.

For New Readers:

While it’s possible to jump in with this fourth installment, I’d recommend starting with the first book, “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” to fully appreciate the world-building and recurring characters. The second and third books, “Tales from the Café” and “Before Your Memory Fades,” offer similar collections of interconnected stories that expand on the café’s mythology.

For Longtime Fans:

“Before We Say Goodbye” delivers more of what you’ve come to love about the series while subtly pushing its boundaries. The hints at a larger story surrounding Kazu and the café’s origins are particularly intriguing, potentially setting up future installments (the fifth book, “Before We Forget Kindness,” is already available in Japanese).

Final Sip: A Comforting Cup with Depth

Like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, “Before We Say Goodbye” offers warmth, comfort, and a gentle jolt to the senses. Kawaguchi’s storytelling invites us to slow down, savor the moment, and reflect on the connections that truly matter in our lives. It’s a reminder that while we can’t change the past, we always have the power to change how we view it – and in doing so, shape our future.

So, pull up a chair at Café Funiculi Funicula, order a steaming cup, and prepare to be transported – not just through time, but into the depths of the human heart. Just remember to finish your coffee before it gets cold.

Recommended for fans of:

• “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
• “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune
• “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger
• “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman