#sentaro tsujii

[fiapple]

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa [trans. Alison Watts]

[jpf-sydney]

Sweet bean paste

Book review:

At times sweet and at times melancholic, but never overly so, Sweet Bean Paste is a heartwarming tale of friendship, hope, and humanity.

Sentaro Tsujii once dreamed of becoming a writer. Now, he spends his days making mediocre dorayaki (pancakes filled with sweet bean paste) at a little confectionery shop to pay off a debt. He does the bare minimum to keep the business afloat, ordering pre-made bean paste from a wholesaler, and reusing leftover filling to save money. One day, an elderly woman with crippled hands, Tokue Yoshii, visits his shop and offers to work for him for very low pay. Despite his initial reservations, Sentaro reluctantly hires her after tasting some of her homemade sweet bean paste. Thanks to Tokue’s delicious bean paste, business starts to take off, and Sentaro and Tokue become unlikely friends. But before long, everything changes when Tokue’s tragic past catches up to her.

A quick read with intriguing characters and surprising depth. Sukegawa explores a dark chapter of Japanese history and deals with themes of loneliness, being an outcast and the weight of social stigma in a gentle and sensitive way. Skillfully translated into English by Alison Watts, Sweet Bean Paste is a touching story with lingering resonance. Highly recommended!

Shelf: 913.6 DOR [An. English]. Sweet bean paste. by Durian Sukegawa ; translated by Alison Watts. London : Oneworld, 2017. 216 pages ; 20 cm. Translated into English from the Japanese. ISBN: 9781786071958

[fiapple]

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa [trans. Alison Watts]