Have you ever wished you could travel back in time to set things right, to say the things left unsaid, or to just see someone you lost? The idea of time travel has always fascinated us, and while science fiction often tries to make sense of it, Toshikazu Kawaguchi's "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" offers a refreshing take on time travel.

The book is a charming and emotional journey that takes place in a small cafe in Tokyo that is rumored to offer its customers the chance to travel back in time. In this article, we will explore the book's unique concept, its emotional depth, and the author's writing style. We will also delve into the book's structure and how it weaves the stories together.

The Book's Structure

"Before the Coffee Gets Cold" features a cast of characters that includes the cafe's owner, Fumiko, and various visitors who come to use its unique time-traveling offer. The book is divided into four chapters, each with its own time-travel escapade.

Some of the characters are Kazu, who wants to meet his wife with Alzheimer's, Goro, who wishes to see his sister who died in a car accident, and Kei, who wants to meet her daughter who was given up for adoption. Despite the different characters and journeys, the stories are all linked together, creating a cohesive and emotionally charged read.

The small cast of characters, consisting of the staff and customers of the cafe, makes it easy for readers to form intimate relationships with each of them. The author does an excellent job of weaving the stories together, creating an emotional climax that is both satisfying and heartbreaking.

The Rules

The cafe in "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" is no ordinary cafe. It has a special seat that allows its occupant to travel back in time once a day. However, there are rules that must be followed. Firstly, nothing that is done in the past can change the present. Secondly, the traveler cannot leave the seat, and they can only interact with people who were in the cafe at the time.

Thirdly, they can only use the seat once, with no second chances. Finally, they must finish the coffee before it gets cold; otherwise, they will become a ghost. The rules create a sense of danger and urgency, making the time travel experience thrilling and exciting. Despite knowing the strange rules and consequences, each of them is hoping to make use of the cafe's time-traveling offer.

Emotional Depth

Despite its unique concept, "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" is ultimately a story about people and their relationships. Divided into four parts, each following a different character's journey to the past. Fumiko, the café owner, provides the setting for the story, while the various visitors to the cafe, such as Kazu, Goro, and Kei, come to use the cafe's unique time-traveling offer.

The book explores the intricate relationships between them. Each character has their reasons for wanting to travel back in time, whether it's to see a lost loved one, to apologize for past mistakes, or to make peace with their regrets. As the book progresses, the emotional depth of each story increases, making it a touching and thought-provoking read.

Writing Style

Toshikazu Kawaguchi's writing style is simple and concise, making it easy to follow the story's intricate details. The author's attention to detail, from the description of the cafe's layout to the different ways of brewing coffee, is impressive.

Kawaguchi has created a world that is believable and magical at the same time, making it easy for readers to get lost in the story. The author's ability to create intimate relationships between the reader and the characters is one of the book's strongest points. The translation from Japanese to English is seamless, and the book flows smoothly from beginning to end.

"Before the Coffee Gets Cold" is a unique and emotionally moving book that offers a fresh take on time travel. The book's concept, the rules of time travel, and the emotional depth of the stories make it a thrilling and thought-provoking read. The book's structure, with its interwoven stories and intimate cast of characters, makes it a satisfying and heartbreaking read.

Overall, "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" is a beautifully written and unforgettable book that explores the complexities of time and the power of human connection. The author has managed to craft a story that is both entertaining and profound, leaving readers with a deeper understanding of the human experience.