Why Isn't Time Travel Service in 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' Popular Among Customers?

In the book “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” the author Toshikazu Kawaguchi serves the readers with several short, but heart-felt stories about people from different walks of life. The novel is set up in a small café in Tokyo with a special service to offer: a chance to travel back in time. If that’s the case, why is it not popular? As the characters look for the chance to travel back in time, the author carefully brews the mystery around the limited popularity and an even scarce amount of people indulging in it. It gives the readers a chance to explore the consequences and complexities of playing with time.  

Kawaguchi skillfully interweaves four interrelated tales, each featuring a distinct café patron who is attempting to change the path of their history. By delving into the regrets, unsaid feelings, and complex relationships that shape our lives, the book masterfully portrays the essence of the human experience. With its profound examination of the human condition, the novel invites us to appreciate the present while reflecting on the complex tapestry of our unique pasts.

The story revolves around a small café, “Funiculi Funicula”, equipped with an old vibe to it; located in Tokyo. The small details are to look out for: each giving a reason to delve deeply into the stories. The café is a very old place, built ages ago, and it still has the same interior as ever, just a ceiling fan with no A.C. or any modern devices; except the coffee machine which is rarely used. Except for the staff working there, there are only a few regular customers, who ultimately serve as the patrons who’re looking for the opportunity for a time journey. With each patron having a different feeling, they all have the same feeling: to meet someone in the past time. Despite the tempting offer, the café isn’t a popular spot. It's mainly due to the vintage vibe, and well, mainly due to the complex rules for travel.

1. The customer should be seated in the SAME seat, which is mostly occupied by the lady in the white dress.

2. They can only meet people who have visited the café, and they cannot leave the seat.

3. They MUST return before the coffee gets cold.

The book explores the intricacies of each character's life as they struggle with their regrets, unmet dreams, or unresolved problems. Each story is a heartbreaking look into love, loss, and the human condition, ranging from a woman hoping to get closure with her ex-boyfriend to a terminally ill sister hoping to have one last talk with her sibling. The café becomes a symbolic setting where people are forced to face the decisions that have molded their lives. This can sometimes result in emotional epiphanies and moments of introspection.

The fact that each story, each character represents different emotions; but with the sense of familiarity, is what makes me like this book a lot. Kawaguchi succeeded in sharing the emotions in a subtle and heartwarming way, rather than overwhelming the readers. This makes it more interesting to read. I would love to recommend this one to my close friends as well as family.

~The Stressed Potato