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Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Before We Say Goodbye

Curl up with the magical story of the cosy Tokyo cafe
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Narrator Kevin Shen

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Length 4 hours 40 minutes
Language English
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The million-copy bestselling series.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s poignant Before We Say Goodbye, translated from Japanese, explores the age-old question: what would you do if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?


The regulars at the magical Cafe Funiculi Funicula are well acquainted with its famous legend and extraordinary, secret time travel offering. Many patrons have reunited with old flames, made amends with estranged family, and visited loved ones. But the journey is not without risks and there are rules to follow. Travellers must have visited the cafe previously and most importantly, must return to the present in the time it takes for their coffee to go cold.

In the tradition of Kawaguchi’s sensational Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, readers are introduced to a new set of visitors:

- The husband with something important left to say
- The woman who couldn’t bid her dog farewell
- The woman who couldn’t answer a proposal
- The daughter who drove her father away . . .


In the hauntingly beautiful Before We Say Goodbye, Kawaguchi invites us to join his characters as they embark on a journey to revisit one crucial moment in time.

Catch up on the rest of the series with Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Tales from the Cafe, Before Your Memory Fades, and Before We Forget Kindness.


Toshikazu Kawaguchi was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1971. He formerly produced, directed and wrote for the theatrical group Sonic Snail. As a playwright, his works include COUPLE, Sunset Song, and Family Time. The novel Before the coffee gets cold is adapted from a 1110 Productions play by Kawaguchi, which won the 10th Suginami Drama Festival grand prize.

Illustration of person sitting

Shop small, give big!

With credit bundles, you choose the number of credits and your recipient picks their audiobooks—all in support of Owl Books.

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Phone showing make the switch message

Limited-time offer

Get two free audiobooks!

Now’s a great time to shop indie. When you start a new one credit per month membership supporting Owl Books with promo code SWITCH, we’ll give you two bonus audiobook credits at sign-up.

Sign up today

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