BREWING MEMORIES

Not a day goes by when we don't think of the past at least once. Our thoughts are imprisoned by the sundry choices that still haunt us occasionally. "If only I could go back in time and change things" is a wishful thought we all once had. "Before the coffee gets cold" is as perfect as that piping hot morning coffee blend which offers much-needed mental peace. Every sip gets better as seconds slip away. Stories of 4 strangers connected by their visits to a time-honoured cafe take readers on a caffeine-loaded journey to their past. Nunaced dialogues complement this fascinating experience generously. By accepting the cleverly devised Time Travel protocols, these individuals have sensitively come to terms with the fact that a visit to the past won't alter the course of the present or the future. A glimpse at the familiar before a tragic change took over their lives has brought closure to those who chose to sit on the coveted chair which has transcended obsolescence without defying nature. Toshikazu Kawaguchi finely captures distinctive human traits through his characters. An act as simple as moving the coffee cup, holding hands or even nodding heads decodes the relationship dynamic among them. No words are wasted here. I surfed through the pages traversing the smooth flow of conversations over coffee. Whisked by emotional ingredients with an added dash of mystery, "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" is a book that is waiting to be tasted. As far as the adaptation goes, as usual, the book has triumphed over its movie.