Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Book Review

The Coffee Shop That Holds the Past

One chair, a steaming hot cup of coffee, and a single, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel back in time. What would you do if presented with such a chance? This is precisely the profound question that confronts the various characters who find themselves at Funiculi Funicula, a charming and quaint Tokyo coffee shop that is tucked away in a quiet alley and that, rather surprisingly, remains perpetually cold regardless of the season or weather outside. The book explores the diverse and fascinating patrons who regularly frequent this unassuming and modest café.

The urban legend surrounding the cafe is that each visitor is granted the extraordinary ability to travel back to any single point in time that they choose—but there is a catch: they must return to the present before their cup of coffee gets cold. Additionally, they are strictly bound by a comprehensive and rather long list of rules and restrictions. This is the elegantly simple yet intriguing premise as Kawaguchi gently introduces us to the unassuming and humble owner, Nagare, his warm and amiable wife Kei, and the enigmatic and mysterious Kazu.

There are four intertwined tales in Before the Coffee Gets Cold that explore the emotional quandaries of four women and their journeys back in time to seek answers and solace. While the long list of rules makes time travel seem pointless, the heart-wrenching experiences of each of these women made me understand the worth of those constraints. One of the rules—that any of your actions during time travel will not change the future—makes you wonder, “What’s the point of going back in time then if you can’t amend anything?” But gradually, you realise that the past is not meant to be fixed, a truth these travellers also come to understand. Their heavily constrained journeys back in time become a means of catharsis

Before the Coffee Gets Cold: A Cozy and Life Affirming Read

Before the Coffee Gets Cold  is a cozy and life affirming read with the message about the importance of accepting the past as it explores the poignant stories of four strong women and their journey back in time. While there are some facets of time travel, the narrative is mainly focussed on emotional exploration of the themes of closure, forgiveness and letting go.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold  reminded of Days at the Morisaki Bookshop  which told the story of Takako who after a heartbreak found solace in the books of her uncle’s second hand bookshop. Both novels are set in Japan and share a quiet, introspective charm. As translations, they might leave out certain nuances from the original Japanese text, but what remains is a gentle exploration of healing, connection, and the small comforts that help us move forward.

Final Thoughts

Before the Coffee Gets Cold isn’t about changing the past; it’s about understanding it. It is a slow and gentle read - perfect for anyone who has ever wished for a few more minutes for their lost loved ones.