Few modern novels have spread through word of mouth quite like Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
Originally published in English in 2019, the bestselling novel has now earned another major distinction after being included on Pan Macmillan’s list of the 50 best books of all time. The recognition places it alongside literary classics by authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, George Orwell, Charles Dickens, and Gabriel García Márquez, underscoring its remarkable global impact.
The novel grew from an unusual beginning.
Before becoming an international bestseller, Before the Coffee Gets Cold began life as a stage play written by Kawaguchi. Set almost entirely inside a small Tokyo café, the story revolves around a mysterious chair that allows customers to travel back in time provided they follow a strict set of rules, including returning before their coffee grows cold.
“Before the Coffee Gets Cold was the veryfirst novel that I wrote, and when I
started to write, I realized that I was immature as a writer and didn’t have a clue how to start,” Kawaguchi told Hoopla Book Club. “Yet during the process of translating my play into a novel, I tried to be very careful about one thing, which is to capture the same vibe as in the play so that the audience who watched the play won’t have a sense of discomfort when reading the novel, and vice versa.”
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Rather than focusing on changing history, the novel explores something more personal.
Through interconnected stories, Kawaguchi examines regret, forgiveness, family, grief, and the importance of cherishing the present. Each character is given an opportunity to revisit a meaningful moment from the past, but the novel emphasizes that while the past itself cannot be changed, people can change how they understand it.
“What is really important to me when I’m writing, is relatability,” Kawaguchi told Sesay Arts. “So readers are able to think, ‘That’s happened to me! I totally get that!'”
That emotional approach has resonated with readers worldwide.
Following its English-language publication in 2019, Before the Coffee Gets Cold became an international bestseller and sparked a series of companion novels that expanded the world of the café. The book’s blend of magical realism, gentle storytelling, and universal themes has made it a favorite among book clubs and readers looking for uplifting contemporary fiction.
Its popularity has continued to grow through social media.
The novel has become a fixture on online reading communities, particularly among BookTok and Goodreads readers, who have praised its heartfelt storytelling and memorable characters. Its enduring popularity has helped introduce Kawaguchi’s work to millions of readers outside Japan and established the series as one of the most successful translated fiction franchises of recent years.
Now, with its inclusion on Pan Macmillan’s list of the greatest books of all time, Before the Coffee Gets Cold has received yet another testament to its lasting appeal. What began as an intimate stage play has become a worldwide literary phenomenon, proving that stories about hope, connection, and second chances can resonate across cultures and generations.
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