Of all the Japanese novels that have stormed the UK over the past few years, Before the Coffee gets Cold has perhaps had the most traction. It’s everywhere. It has taken me a while to catch up, and now there is a whole cold coffee series. Yet there’s been quite a mixture of views from the blogging and reviewing community. I keep reading that Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a playwright who can’t write prose. Every reader has cried, except the ones who haven’t. And there is some criticism of apparently cliched and stereotypical ideas about the role of women.
The premise is that there is an underground coffee shop in Tokyo called Funiculi Funicula. If you follow certain convoluted rules you can travel back in time to relive a moment of your past, as long as it took place in the coffee shop. An important rule is that you will not be able to change the present. The rules mean that there aren’t that many people who choose to make the journey and each of the Coffee books covers four mini-stories. Each deals with a kind of relationship: in the first book we meet four women seeking reconciliation (or not) with a boyfriend moving away for work, with a husband who has dementia, with a sister, with a daughter. Within those relationships, it’s fair to say that the women are not the more powerful partner. I can certainly see why the suggested courses of action that follow the time-travelling have upset some readers, while others have found the undoubted emotional pull compelling.
At least two of the characters react to their time travel in ways I disagree with. Now it’s a sad fact that people do things all the time that I disagree with, so the next thing is to try to work out why, and what the author wants us to do about it. The most obvious observation is that all four characters want to go to the past because they want to understand, or to see things differently, or to be reconciled. In short, there is already a power deficit. It’s disappointing that that deficit seemingly can’t be overturned. What can happen, instead, is greater understanding and a different perspective. It is this that has found resonance with some readers, leading as it does to a message of potential hope and an attitude that by trying to understand other people’s points of view, we can act in a more measured way, living ‘better’ and perhaps avoiding future missed opportunities.
I don’t know whether I’ll continue with the series, but I’d hope for a couple of things: first, that there might be more male characters. Currently, they are all secondary characters and although that is not necessarily a problem, it would be helpful to be able to ascertain whether what’s been identified as a traditional view of gender roles holds up as such. Also: I’d love for the book(s) to be more than the sum of their parts. What I mean by that is that each story stands largely alone and there are few fully-rounded characters. In turn, these characters’ ideas of what love and duty demand them to do aren’t fleshed out and examined. It’d be a shame if the whimsy of the format got in the way of an exploration of what love, duty and reconciliation might really involve.

It is no surprise this has been a huge success. We all wonder 'what if' and think about signs we may have missed and moments lost. Magical..

I have given Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi four out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An emotional, moving, beautiful translated fictional book.

I thought I was going to enjoy this book but I didn’t realise just how much. I loved the time-travel aspect, it really made me question myself at the end of the book, “if I was given the chance to visit the past or future, would i take it?”.

I don’t want to say too much about the different lives we meet in this book but just know this book will hit you in the feels so if you find you’re an emotional reader, keep some tissues with you just in case.

I’m definitely going to continue the rest of the books in this series and see whether they are about existing or new characters.

An intriguing premise, but somehow not quite pulled off. The single-room setting felt claustrophobic rather than a creative confinement and the character exploration, while engaging felt both somewhat bland and sentimental.

Such a lovely, cosy little novel. I enjoyed every minute of it and thought it was such a creative idea. I can’t wait to read more in the series

An exquisite tale that provokes deep thought on the past, present and future. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi

It seems that I am just catching up with this series of books, which is also a play and a film. Kawaguchi published this in 2015, with three follow up sequels, a film released in in 2018 and an announcement that a TV series is in the works.

The story is focussed around an unassuming cafe, in a small street in Tokyo. Certain circumstances will allow you to travel back in time as a customer, with strict caveats that need to be observed. We meet the cafe staff, a husband and wife team with the husband’s sister. We also meet various customers - a woman whose boyfriend split up with her when he took a job overseas, a man who always forgets his wallet, and a bar owner from down the street who really needs to talk to her sister.

While I read this in English (as my Japanese isn’t quite up to scratch yet), I thought the translator did a great job in retaining the tone and feel - the customs, culture and reserved warmth which seems to be so present in Japanese film and writing.

It’s short and quick to read, but it does ask the difficult questions of the reader. What would you do with more time? Which event in your life would you Groundhog Day back to? Given the risk and the caveats, would you instead just settle for a nice cup of tea and a bun?

I’m still thinking about this a few weeks after I read it, and I’m looking forward to reading the other ones too. I can imagine this as a TV series, and perhaps most suited to an animated set of programmes - in my head it looks like the anime we grew up with, like Eighty Days Around the World. Apologies for putting that earworm in your head.

Recommended for fans of Japanese writing, like Sayuka Murata.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

A brilliant twist on time travel that stayed with my long after reading. Loved how each of the spereate stories were intertwined..

I’m torn with this book. I actually thought it was beautifully written but it wasn’t a style I particularly enjoyed reading. I liked that it was a short selection meaning it could easily be picked up and put down but I wasn’t gripped.

A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

I was drawn to Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi for several reasons. First, it is translated Japanese fiction and I am really enjoying reading Japanese authors at the moment. Second, it has a very interesting premise as it’s presented as four short stories – and can be read as such – but with a continuing narrative that runs the whole way through too. Third – I LOVE coffee, so that reference combined with the delightful cover had me straight away.

Funiculi Funicula is a mysterious basement cafe. With dated decor, a still but calm atmosphere and it has a very interesting claim to fame: if customers sit in a certain chair – and they wish to – they can time travel. Primarily to the past, but the future is possible too.

It was daytime outside, but in this windowless cafe, there was no sense of time. Dim lighting gave the cafe a sepia hue. All this created a comforting, retro atmosphere.

The cafe is owned by Nagare and Kei, they are (for the most part) watchful observers of the people that come to their cafe hoping to return to the past. Waitress Kazu performs the little ceremony that transports people back and makes sure they know the important and, some would say, restrictive rules that mean they can have a safe time-travelling journey.

‘Are you listening?’ Kazu continued. ‘When you return to the past, you must drink the entire cup before the coffee goes cold.’

What is lovely is how all the characters have their own stories, but feature later on too. The first story focuses on a woman whose boyfriend ends their relationship and she is desperate to go back and say everything to him she feels she should have at the time.

The we meet a woman whose husband has Alzheimer’s, so wants to go back to a time where he still remembers her. (Yes, cue the tears.) A similarly emotional story follows about a cafe regular and her sister and then the cafe owners come into play for story four and we learn more about them.

One of the reasons I am enjoying Japanese fiction is there seems to be a signature move through all the books I’ve read so far – the ability to take complex emotions and break them down in such a nuanced way as to make them seem magical and instantly relatable.

While there was a lot of repeated info throughout the stories – specifically about the rules of time travel – I was really captivated by the heart-warming theme and ideas that this book has.

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. There was nothing particularly wrong with it, I think ultimately it just wasn't my cup of tea. I was enticed by the premised and I enjoy a slim read but it simply didn't mesh with me. Wouldn't recommend but also wouldn't put people off if they fancied it!

Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is an absolutely delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart as you learn what is really important in life.
In a small coffee shop in Tokyo lives are changed. The past cannot be altered but there are lessons to be learnt.
As people pass through the coffee shop, the reader has the opportunity to glimpse a fraction of their lives. We see that regrets need to be healed, relationships are the most important, and love never dies.
The book is absolutely charming. It has an ethereal beauty that calms the soul.
Before The Coffee Gets Cold is a unique tale. The characters are all realistic with their flaws and failures, and with their desire for love.
Love covers the whole book. It is not a romantic love but a love that goes straight to the heart, an agape love – whether it is for a sister, a child or a partner.
I found the whole book beautifully written. I am on to book two now as I am not ready to depart from a small coffee shop in Tokyo.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

This book almost reads a bit like a cross between a play and a short story collection. It is built around a quite simple but interesting concept, where people can go back in time by visiting a certain cafe, as long as they only stay a short while (leaving before the coffee gets cold!).

There are a series of snapshots of different lives, as various people take the opportunity to go back in time. Some were quite sad, others had some humour and intrigue to them. For me, these stories were all pleasant enough, but nothing about the book really grabbed me. It was a nice, easy to read book, but I wouldn't necessarily push it into everyone's hands. It's a short read though, so if you're looking for something quite light to dip into, it could be worth a go.

A series of inter-connected stories that are a mixture of heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is a sweet book about a cafe where you can travel back in time....but only for the amount of time that your coffee remains warm. As you can imagine, these are fleeting visits back to the past. A unique concept that was simple, strange and very well translated. Worth seeking out if you want to read something a bit different.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Had to DNF after trying with this book a few times. I simply wasn't a fan of the writing style and could not get into the story. I know a lot of others enjoy this but this just wasn't my cup of tea.

The concept for this book was good and it reminded me of The Phone Box at the Edge of the World, which was also set in Japan. The four individual stories within the book were charming and certainly pulled on your heartstrings, especially the last one for me, but because it was only set in the cafe with a limited number of characters it did become a little bit monotonous and I was glad it was only a small book. The cover didn’t really suit the book as there certainly wasn’t a cat in it. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/Picador for letting me read and review this book.

A sweet book about a time travelling cafe where you can go back for the time that your coffee remains warm.
It did feel more like a play with everything described, and I can see from other reviewers the author is a playwright which explains that.
It was a little too sweet and simple for my tastes but a good book if you want something different.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

As good as everyone says it is! Beautifully written and thought provoking - well translated too! I’ll keep an eye out for anymore books in this series.