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smriii's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A simple, quirky, charming and heartbreaking story about a little coffee shop in Tokyo with a special seat that can send people through time.
This novel is a quick and easily digestible read.
The fascinating central concept is not so much about time travel.
The story is set in a cafe called Funiculi Funicula with the ability to allow guests to travel to the past if they wish to relive a moment or visit a loved one with the knowledge that one can not change the present no matter what. Despite the perverse futility associated with the impossibility of change, the four guests choose to go back in time with the hope of reconnecting with something that was lost. Each visit bittersweet as it brings love and comfort to the visitor but also a renewed sense of loss.
To say the least, Before the Coffee Gets Cold is both sweet and sad. Yet, it’s hopeful – just like real life! Time travel isn’t a magic wand that vanishes all problems, but it was touching to see how it was utilised in the novel to give people a second moment to say ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘goodbye’. It’s a gentle story that haunts you long after your tears have dried.
A must read!!
eucandcitescgen's review against another edition
5.0
cat am plans la cartea asta n am plans in viata mea la o carte. inuman doamne cum sa scrii asa ceva.
danavalerio's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
A series of short stories connected by a common thread. Some beautiful emotional parts but there are some dips in the pacing. As with most Japanese literature, I feel like you need to know what you’re getting into and be in the right headspace to appreciate it.
abby_myers's review against another edition
3.0
At first, I had no idea what was happening, but then it became really clear to me. This reminded me of 1000 Splendid Suns meets A Wrinkle in Time. The overlap towards the end was very heartwarming. Such a touching message and an interesting concept that you could travel in time yet not change a thing. Despite that, at times there were some dips in the plot and it did become predictable.
pris_asagiri's review against another edition
4.0
A very nice story. Typical of the Japanese ghost stories I’ve read. I enjoyed the connected threads of the four short stories. I liked the idea that no matter what you do in the past you can’t change the future, except that you can because you can better understand why people did certain things at a given moment. And with that understanding, you can change your choices, which will ultimately change your future.
I did feel a few parts dragged and would have liked to see it tightened up a bit more. But it’s such a short book, that it’s not super distracting. It may be also due to it being translated.
I did feel a few parts dragged and would have liked to see it tightened up a bit more. But it’s such a short book, that it’s not super distracting. It may be also due to it being translated.
leo123's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
yunooooo's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 ⭐️
I love the concept of time traveling presented in this book, and how each short story follows a different person, yet they all interconnected in one way or another. My review will base on each story like below.
• The Lovers (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
First impression, this is such a beautiful story and concept. The fact that you cannot change the present but still choose to visit the past is just so admirable. Nothing changes, but we just need to live that regretful moments again. Sometimes, we just need the closure that we desperately need so that we can finally peacefully move on with life and not get stuck in the past. I think this first short story captures this moment beautifully.
I got so emotional when she said “nothing is gonna change anyway”. Such a hard hitting moment.
•The Husband and Wife
I love the concept of time traveling presented in this book, and how each short story follows a different person, yet they all interconnected in one way or another. My review will base on each story like below.
• The Lovers (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
First impression, this is such a beautiful story and concept. The fact that you cannot change the present but still choose to visit the past is just so admirable. Nothing changes, but we just need to live that regretful moments again. Sometimes, we just need the closure that we desperately need so that we can finally peacefully move on with life and not get stuck in the past. I think this first short story captures this moment beautifully.
I got so emotional when she said “nothing is gonna change anyway”. Such a hard hitting moment.
•The Husband and Wife
mheffron77's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting characters but a slowish story in my opinion
sarahstoltman's review against another edition
5.0
leave me alone i’m sobbing. you can’t change anything except your future
kaci_'s review against another edition
3.0
Before the coffee gets cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Saw this one floating around bookstagram and was drawn in by its unique premise: a time-traveling coffee shop! Yes please.
But it’s a “time-machine” with a lot of rules. Only one chair in the cafe transports the person back in time. They can’t leave the cafe, they can’t even get up from the chair, and they can only stay until their coffee gets cold. Plus, nothing they do can change their present. You really have to suspend some belief here. The most difficult thing about time-travel tales for me is their inconsistencies or nonsense outcomes. This one is kinda like “yeah, we’re just not dealing with that. You can look, but not touch.”
The book is split into four time-travel moments: the lovers, husband and wife, the sisters, and mother and child. The novel shines in how it layers the stories on top of one another, giving you a whole picture of the people occupying the cafe and their relationships. By the end, you realize that it was one big story among everyone. Not just fragmented moments for each person.
I wasn’t blown away by this one, though. The characters are fine. The storylines are fine. It blends the supernatural into reality nicely. But I never found myself hooked, and I’m sad to admit that I don’t think it’ll be a memorable read for me. I almost wish it had been around to read as a kid. I think the novelty would have stuck with my little kid brain.
Saw this one floating around bookstagram and was drawn in by its unique premise: a time-traveling coffee shop! Yes please.
But it’s a “time-machine” with a lot of rules. Only one chair in the cafe transports the person back in time. They can’t leave the cafe, they can’t even get up from the chair, and they can only stay until their coffee gets cold. Plus, nothing they do can change their present. You really have to suspend some belief here. The most difficult thing about time-travel tales for me is their inconsistencies or nonsense outcomes. This one is kinda like “yeah, we’re just not dealing with that. You can look, but not touch.”
The book is split into four time-travel moments: the lovers, husband and wife, the sisters, and mother and child. The novel shines in how it layers the stories on top of one another, giving you a whole picture of the people occupying the cafe and their relationships. By the end, you realize that it was one big story among everyone. Not just fragmented moments for each person.
I wasn’t blown away by this one, though. The characters are fine. The storylines are fine. It blends the supernatural into reality nicely. But I never found myself hooked, and I’m sad to admit that I don’t think it’ll be a memorable read for me. I almost wish it had been around to read as a kid. I think the novelty would have stuck with my little kid brain.