Sweet Bean Paste Audiobook By Durian Sukegawa, Alison Watts - translator cover art

Sweet Bean Paste

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Sweet Bean Paste

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.

©2013, 2015 Durian Sukegawa; English translation copyright 2017 by Alison Watts (P)2022 Tantor Friendship Genre Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature Heartfelt Funny
Heartfelt Story • Unexpected Twist • Beautiful Narration • Moving Friendship • Cultural Insights
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This book moved me. It was so lovely, the characters were well written. I intend to buy the paperbook and watch the movie. Loved it.

Amazing, heartfelt

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This story takes an unexpected twist that delves into Japanese history, culture, and sensibilities over difference. Very eye-opening.

unexpected history lesson

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Heartfelt Story between the unlikely friendship between an old lady in her 70s and a middle aged chef who makes doriyaki. I simply love all the Japanese Literature, they are very heartfelt and nice. 5 stars

Heartfelt Story between the unlikely friendship between an old lady in her 70s and a middle aged chef

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Inspiring story my family was visiting Japan and I now have a much more appreciation of everything we experienced while visiting. I look forward to visiting again. Thank you so much for writing this book.

Loved it

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People's lives never stay the same color forever. There are times where the color of life changes completely. 🌸🌸
Heartfelt and cozy, while still being thoughtful. It makes me want to curl up with a cup of tea and comfort food. It's the story of unlikely friends who are, in some way or another, perceived negatively by others. The characters are likable and warm despite their faults (with the exception of the shop owner, who frankly, can kick rocks). It has gentle, simple writing, and metaphors that are beautiful and soft. It addresses sometimes dark, sad topics with straightforward grace.

Heartfelt and thoughtful

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Sensitive touching story that would touch everyone who has had a special relationship with a grandparent, parent or family member.
Also brings to light the taboo of disease discrimination that should be considered after the pandemic.
And the ending ponders on life after death. What do we know? We can keep wondering.

Beautiful

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Great characters! Learned a lot about a chapter of Japanese history that I knew nothing about. The food descriptions sounded delicious.

Beautiful story of Japanese history

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Loved the story and the flow … definitely impressive and emotional on so many levels 💜
I enjoyed learning about the characters and their growth through a short story 💜

Emotional

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The metaphors were particularly stunning. The characters were real and the narration was good. I would recommend this to a friend.

All the metaphors track

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I really appreciate the empathy that's built into this beautiful multi phase of life story. It's also read beautifully with voices and nice pronunciation of the Japanese words.

This is one I could listen to over and over again

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