TALES FROM THE CAFE

From the author of the international bestseller Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Tales from the Cafe follows the story of four patrons who visit to take advantage of café Funiculi Funicula's time-traveling offer and revisit moments with family, friends and lovers. Each one must face up to the past to move on with their lives.

Kawaguchi's wistful and heartwarming new novel once again invites the reader to ask themselves, "What would you do if you could travel back in time?"

"Characters come to the crisp realization that joy is allowed, that they don’t have to live burdened by regret; they are set free by a shift in perspective. The effect on the characters is like what the best talk therapy claims is possible: to reprocess past events to see them differently…. It’s easy to be cynical, though, and far rarer to encounter narratives that end with earnest tears of joy.” ~ New York Times

“Kawaguchi has found a unique way to manipulate such a commonly used trope as time travel and has captured the power of joy as a legacy.” ~ Library Journal

“The book’s resonating charm provides lasting emotional balm.” ~ Booklist

Toshikazu Kawaguchi has produced, directed and written for the theatrical group Sonic Snail. As a playwright, his works include Couple, Sunset Song and family time. His play Before the Coffee Gets Cold won the grand prize at the Suginami Drama Festival. This is his debut as an author.