Context and Criteria
Tales from the Cafe is the second book in the series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. It is a sequel to Before The Coffee Gets Cold, which originally came out in 2015, two years before its sequel in 2017. The book carries many qualities from the first book in this five-book collection.
Book Overview (Spoiler Free)
Keeping a familiar format to the previous book, Tales from the Cafe introduces characters who are or work in Funiculi Funicula, a small cafe located in Tokyo. This time, however, the story revolves around a new set of characters who, some more than others, might connect to other characters in the previous book. It also explores topics that were left a little untouched before. Once again, by the end of the book, all the characters travel through time to meet some in the past or future. They learn the appropriate lessons and find new meaning through new possibilities through a simple cup of coffee.
Literary Analysts / Writing Quality
Similar to the first book, the writing style leans more towards a simple format. It thrives more on dialogue, other forms of exchanges between characters, and overall lessons of the story. The text seems to be easier to read and flow better with the heavily layered prompts in the plotline. Because of the complicated matters that come with writing time travel in a book, not to mention the ongoing list of characters, unnecessarily complicated writing would simply take away from the organicness of the story itself. Like the others in the series, the book was also translated, being that it was originally written in Japanese, so this could have a slight impact on the literary differences that get lost in translation.
Reader Verdict (Spoilers Ahead)
Unsurprisingly, Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a national bestseller with over one million copies sold. There’s no debating that it isn’t properly rewarded for the masterpiece that it truly is. However, when reading sequels to a very well-achieved book, it is important to keep expectations low in regards that it might not live up to those levels again. After reading Tales From the Cafe, it was quick to learn that this was certainly not the case. The book was once again sorted into four parts, like the first, and the stories were just as personal and deep. The Best Friend part definitely left a big impression after reading. The story perfectly captures the depth behind grief and gratitude in a brief, bittersweet moment between two friends separated by death. This entire book felt like closing it every few pages to take a breath and stare at the wall to gather my thoughts before continuing, without being able to put it down. It was also very enjoyable to get more closure on characters that had not been mentioned since the start of the first book.
The reader is also given more background information on the history behind the women in the chair that transports you through time. The author describes the major part she plays in Kazu’s life and how important her role is. Kazu’s character also has a more impactful and attention-deserving role in this book. She is present, not only as a server at the cafe, but as a person with her own story to tell and carry on.
As well as more sharply shaping original characters, there were also some very entertaining new ones. Miki is the young daughter of Kei and Nagare. She had a very bright and sunny personality- similar to her mother, who passed in the first book. The author made many connections to this mother-daughter duo, making it a little sad but very sweet. Let alone her connection with Nagare, being just as enjoyable to read about.
Recommendation Preference
Absolutely. Tales From The Cafe is not only a great sequel to an amazing first book, but it also explores new themes and touches on new topics that land each time perfectly. The story’s concepts may be a little repetitive at some points, but the idea and characters are very unique. It is a great adaptation of a simple fictional piece with strange, magical aspects.
