Like the previous books, this novel is set in a unique café where customers have the opportunity to travel back in time under certain conditions. The café is renowned for its special ability, yet it comes with specific rules, such as the requirement to return before the coffee gets cold.
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On the hillside of Mount Hakodate in northern Japan, Cafe Donna Donna is fabled for its dazzling views of Hakodate port. But that’s not all. Like the charming Tokyo cafe Funiculi Funicula, Cafe Donna Donna offers its customers the extraordinary experience of travelling through time.
From the author of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and Tales from the Cafe comes another story of four new customers, each of whom is hoping to take advantage of the cafe’s time-travelling offer. Among some familiar faces from Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s previous novels, readers will also be introduced to:
A daughter who begrudges her deceased parents for leaving her orphaned
A comedian who aches for his beloved and their shared dreams
A younger sister whose grief has become all-consuming
A young man who realises his love for his childhood friend too late
Translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot and featuring signature heart-warming characters and wistful storytelling, in Before Your Memory Fades, Kawaguchi once again invites the reader to ask themselves: what would you change if you could travel back in time?
About the Author
Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a Japanese writer who became well-known for his heartwarming series Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
Originally written as a play, the story’s success led Kawaguchi to adapt it into a novel, which quickly gained popularity and has been translated into many languages.
His books often explore themes such as love, regret, and the importance of understanding one another. Kawaguchi’s storytelling style is known for being both touching and thoughtful, drawing readers into the emotional journeys of his characters.
What to read next
If you enjoyed this book, I’d recommend continuing the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. The next book in the series is titled Before You Say Goodbye. If you enjoy the time travel element you may also enjoy Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel.
