Before the Coffee Gets Cold

Our book group choice for December 2024 is Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Set in a small, unassuming Tokyo cafe, the story revolves around a mysterious seat that allows patrons to travel back in time under a unique set of rules.

The cafe offers a chance to revisit the past, but with strict conditions: travelers cannot leave the cafe, their actions in the past cannot alter the present, and they must return before their coffee gets cold. Despite these limitations, four individuals are drawn to the cafe, each with a burning desire to confront their past regrets.

There’s Fumiko, yearning to speak to her fiancé who left for America years ago. Kohtake wants to see her husband, now suffering from Alzheimer’s, one last time as he remembered her. Hirai hopes to receive a letter from her sister, who ran away from home. And Kei seeks to meet her daughter, whom she was too ill to care for.

As each character embarks on their temporal journey, they grapple with missed opportunities, unspoken words, and the bittersweet pain of what could have been. Through their experiences, the novel gently probes themes of love, family, and acceptance. It reminds us that while we cannot change the past, confronting it can offer closure, healing, and a renewed appreciation for the present.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a poignant tale that delicately blends fantasy and realism, inviting readers to contemplate the weight of their own pasts and the enduring power of human connection.

Discussion Questions

The novel explores the idea of going back in time to address regrets. Do you think this is a universally human desire? Did any of the characters’ regrets resonate with you particularly? Why or why not?
The cafe has strict rules for time travel. Which rule did you find most intriguing or limiting? How do these rules shape the characters’ journeys and the overall narrative?
The cafe and its inhabitants act as facilitators for time travel. How does the setting of the cafe, with its unique atmosphere and rituals, contribute to the story’s themes?
Which character’s journey did you find most compelling and why? How do their experiences in the past affect their present?
The novel explores different facets of love and loss. How are these themes intertwined with the concept of time travel?
Several characters grapple with seeking or offering forgiveness. How does time travel complicate or facilitate these processes?
Does the novel offer any insights into how we perceive and experience time in our own lives? Did it change your perspective on the passage of time?
How does the novel portray the complexities of familial relationships, particularly between parents and children?
Discuss the ending of the novel. Did you find it satisfying? How did it leave you feeling? What do you think happens to the characters after the story concludes?
The novel is steeped in Japanese culture. Did you learn anything new about Japanese customs or values? How does the cultural context influence the story?
To whom would you recommend the book? Why?