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Sweet Bean Paste

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Sweet Bean Paste

Written by: Durian Sukegawa, Alison Watts - translator
Narrated by: Cindy Kay
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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.

(P)2022 Tantor Coming of Age Friendship Genre Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature
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Charming story in a genre that usually goes on and on, but this was a great length kept you involved with the characters and hopeful till the end.

Transported through words and voice…

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A heart warming, beautiful and very engaging. I enjoyed listening to it. A must listen for sure!!!

Heart warming read

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A beautiful spring read.
As someone with an autoimmune disease, I could resonate with whatever Tokue wrote in her letters. Constantly thinking what purpose my life serves, Tokue gave a meaning to it, that how, even simply existing counts too.
I will go and make my own sweet bean paste now. 🫘 😌

A Beautiful Spring Read

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I absolutely adore this book. It's been a long time since I read a book that touched my heart so much. If you are thinking of reading, don't hesitate, just give it a go. I feel you won't regret it.

Such a heartfelt story

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A poignant story, the sense of calm this book brought me is something that I cannot explain. The wonderful narration added to the effect. Highly recommend it.

Moving story of life

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