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| Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi #BookReview |
An unassuming basement café in Tokyo - Funiculi Funicula -
lets you travel in time.
But the opportunity comes with certain conditions.
Only one seat in the café allows the time
travel.
No matter what you do when you go back, your
present will not change.
You must return back before your coffee turns
cold.
With time travel at its heart, Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s
Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a thought-provoking exploration of
time, regret, and the human longing for second chances, served in four
delicately crafted short stories.
I'd been in a bit of a reading slump lately. Book after
book failed to capture my attention, leaving a trail of unfinished books in
their wake.
I was on the lookout for something light, comforting, and
engaging, when I picked up Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu
Kawaguchi. It proved to be the perfect antidote to my reading fatigue. The book is easy-going in its narrative and endearing characters had my attention from the very first
page, making it a breeze to read.
The book is an easy, enjoyable read. Each story unfolds with a gentle pace, allowing readers to connect deeply with the characters and their dilemmas. The author skillfully balances the fantastical element of time travel with the emotional core of each narrative. The harmonious blend of the extraordinary and the ordinary is what makes the book memorable.
As a reader you become an invisible observer of the stories
unfolding in the café. You feel what the characters are feeling. From the
bittersweet longing of unrequited love to the poignant regret of missed
opportunities, each story leaves a lasting impression.
The characters are sketched in detail and their journeys resonate on
a profound level. One cannot help but ponder the implications of time travel
after finishing this book. You understand the reason why you cannot travel to
the past and change the course of future.
The novel's true strength lies in its exploration of human
connection and the universal desire to rectify past mistakes. But sometimes, we
need the courage to accept the things as they are and, in this book, the
characters find that acceptance after making their brief journey to the past.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a
book that lingers in your mind long after the final page.
It invites you to contemplate your own life, to wonder about the paths not taken, the what-ifs, and to appreciate the preciousness of the present moment. I did let my mind wander at times and think about what would I do if I had the chance to visit the café. Though I have not been able to find any concrete answer to that yet. May be that's a good thing, or may be I need to ponder a bit more.
The stories in the book offer a comforting sense of
companionship in navigating life's uncertainties and tells you that perhaps you
are not alone in this journey.
If you're seeking a story that is both heartwarming and
thought-provoking, this is a book you will enjoy. It's a gentle reminder that
even in the face of regret, there is always hope and the possibility of finding
peace within oneself.
Originally an award-winning play by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' has sold over a million copies worldwide.
Following the immense success of the first book, Kawaguchi continued the series followed by 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Café,' 'Before Your Memory Fades,' and the fourth one 'Before We Say Goodbye,' that was released in September 2023. The fifth book in the series 'Before We Forget Kindness,' is all set to release in September 2024.
Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!
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