A book about learning to move on from the past and enjoying the present.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a thought-provoking and emotional novel that explores the human experience of regret, loss, and the power of forgiveness. The novel centers around a small café in Tokyo that offers customers the chance to travel back in time to a specific moment in their lives. However, there is a catch: customers can only stay in the past for the amount of time it takes for a cup of coffee to get cold.
The novel is divided into four interconnected stories, each focusing on a different character and their desire to change a particular event in their past. Through their experiences, the author explores the nature of time, the meaning of regret, and the importance of living in the moment.
"Life is like a train ride. We get on, and we ride, and we get off. We get on again, and we ride some more, and we get off again. There are accidents, and there are delays. At certain stations, there are surprises. Some of these are good, and some of them are bad. We never know what's going to happen next. But we do know that we can't stay on the train forever. So we should enjoy the ride while it lasts."
One of the standout themes of the novel is the idea of forgiveness. As one character states,
"The only reason we can't forgive is that we can't forget."
Through the various stories, Kawaguchi explores how people struggle to forgive themselves and others for past mistakes and the weight that this burden can carry. The book will not only make you realize how similar you are to the characters and teaches you to learn to enjoy the present moment.
The author, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, has a talent for weaving together complex ideas and themes into a cohesive and compelling narrative. The writing style is simple and direct, with a focus on character development and dialogue. The author uses a combination of first-person and third-person narration, and that allowed me to connect with the characters personally while also gaining a broader perspective on the story.
Kawaguchi's use of metaphor and symbolism is also noteworthy. The café setting serves as a metaphor for the transient nature of time, while the rules of time travel symbolize the limitations and consequences of our choices.
Kawaguchi's writing is poetic and evocative, and he brings the characters and the cafe to life in a way that is both realistic and fantastical. The novel's structure is episodic, with each chapter focusing on a different character's journey into the past. As the characters embark on their time-traveling adventures, they discover that changing the past is not as easy as they thought and that there are consequences of their actions.
What makes Before the Coffee Gets Cold, so unique is its ability to evoke emotions in the reader. The novel is deeply moving, and it deals with universal themes that are relatable to everyone. The characters are all flawed and complex, and their stories are poignant and heartbreaking.
The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with each of the four interconnected stories building on the previous one to create a sense of momentum and suspense. The dialogue is natural and authentic, with each character having a unique voice and personality.
Overall, Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a touching and thought-provoking novel that will make readers reflect on their own lives and their choices. Kawaguchi's writing style is gentle yet powerful, drawing the reader in and immersing them in the characters' emotional lives. This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever wished they could turn back time and change the course of their lives.
Written By: Kairavi Anjaria