A charming tale of friendship, love, and loneliness in contemporary Japan
Sentaro has failed. He has a criminal record, drinks too much, and his dream of becoming a writer is just a distant memory. With only the blossoming of the cherry trees to mark the passing of time, he spends his days in a tiny confectionery shop selling dorayaki, a type of pancake filled with sweet bean paste.
But everything is about to change.
Into his life comes Tokue, an elderly woman with disfigured hands and a troubled past. Tokue makes the best sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. She begins to teach him her craft, but as their friendship flourishes, social pressures become impossible to escape and Tokue's dark secret is revealed, with devastating consequences.
Sweet Bean Paste is a moving novel about the burden of the past and the redemptive power of friendship. Translated into English for the first time, Durian Sukegawa's beautiful prose is capturing hearts all over the world.
© 2022 Tantor Audio (Audiobook): 9798765017241
Translators: Alison Watts
Release date
Audiobook: 7 June 2022
A charming tale of friendship, love, and loneliness in contemporary Japan
Sentaro has failed. He has a criminal record, drinks too much, and his dream of becoming a writer is just a distant memory. With only the blossoming of the cherry trees to mark the passing of time, he spends his days in a tiny confectionery shop selling dorayaki, a type of pancake filled with sweet bean paste.
But everything is about to change.
Into his life comes Tokue, an elderly woman with disfigured hands and a troubled past. Tokue makes the best sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. She begins to teach him her craft, but as their friendship flourishes, social pressures become impossible to escape and Tokue's dark secret is revealed, with devastating consequences.
Sweet Bean Paste is a moving novel about the burden of the past and the redemptive power of friendship. Translated into English for the first time, Durian Sukegawa's beautiful prose is capturing hearts all over the world.
© 2022 Tantor Audio (Audiobook): 9798765017241
Translators: Alison Watts
Release date
Audiobook: 7 June 2022
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Overall rating based on 139 ratings
Heartwarming
Cozy
Sad
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pratibha
29 Oct 2023
Must read story on friendship & life lived from the fringes.
Labster
16 Feb 2023
Sweet, informative, human story.
Aswathy vishal
13 Feb 2024
A heart-warming book about life in japan. Must read if you want inspiration to start something new in life.
P
14 Dec 2023
Book exudes warmth.
Anvita
26 Apr 2023
This was such an interesting read. The characters left a lasting impression on me. I do wish the end wasn't so abrupt, it really took away from the story for me.
English
India