In a previous post, I explored Before the Coffee Gets Cold summary and the intricate lives of its characters, offering a foundation for understanding the emotional and philosophical depths of Kawaguchi’s work. Today, I extend an invitation to further immerse ourselves in the world of the small Tokyo café where time travel becomes a conduit for exploring the nuances of human relationships and the weight of decisions left untaken.
This blog post is dedicated to sharing a curated collection of quotes from Before the Coffee Gets Cold, each chosen for its ability to encapsulate the essence of the novel’s themes and the universal truths they unveil. Through these quotes, we’ll embark on a journey of reflection, examining the threads of regret, love, and the longing for connection that weave the fabric of our collective human experience.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold Quotes
Here are some interesting quotes that capture the thematic essence of Before the Coffee Gets Cold:
1. “It takes courage to say what has to be said.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
2. “Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability. It is much easier to conceal sadness from a stranger, or from someone you don’t trust.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
3. “She wanted to do things without having to worry what others thought. She simply lived for her freedom.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
4. “The present hadn’t changed—but those two people had. Both Kohtake and Hirai returned to the present with a changed heart.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
5. “If I return to the past, I might be able to set things right.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
6. “People don’t see things and hear things as objectively as they might think. The visual and auditory information that enters the mind is distorted by experiences, thoughts, circumstances, wild fancies, prejudices, preferences, knowledge, awareness, and countless other workings of the mind.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
7. “With the coffee in front of her, she closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply. It was her moment of happiness.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
8. “But Kazu still goes on believing that, no matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them. It just takes heart. And if the chair can change someone’s heart, it clearly has its purpose.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
9. “At the end of the day, whether one returns to the past or travels to the future, the present doesn’t change.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
10. “Sometimes life is stranger than fiction, but sometimes it’s incomparable in other ways. Sometimes it’s heaven that the false fire of imagination could never capture.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
11. “No matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them. It just takes heart.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
12. “Doing things differently from everyone else would normally antagonize those making sure no one went against the grain, but no one ever thought that way with Kei. She was always everyone’s friend; she had that sort of effect on people.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
13. “When you go back, no matter how hard you try, the present won’t change.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
14. “Kohtake, though, liked her coffee hot, even in summer. She liked the aroma of it when it was freshly brewed. She couldn’t enjoy iced coffee in the same way. Coffee was far more pleasurable when it was hot.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
15. “We must become friends before this coffee cools.” ― Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Final thoughts
The selected quotes from “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” offer a window into Kawaguchi’s intricate narrative and the profound themes he explores. This novel, with its blend of magical realism and deeply human concerns, challenges us to reflect on our regrets, hopes, and the words left unsaid. Through the lens of its characters and their poignant experiences, we are reminded of literature’s capacity to reveal universal truths and provoke introspection.
I hope this exploration of key quotes has enriched your understanding and appreciation of Kawaguchi’s work, inviting you to ponder the transformative power of time, connections, and choices in our lives.
