'I'm in story heaven with this book.'Cecelia Ahern,author ofP.S. I Love You
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 awriter is just a distant memory. With only theblossoming of the cherry trees to mark thepassing of time,he spends his days in a tiny confectionery shop selling dorayaki,a type ofpancake filled with sweet bean paste.
But everything is about to change.
Into his life comes Tokue,an elderly womanwith disfigured hands and a troubled past.Tokue makes the best sweet bean pasteSentaro has ever tasted. She begins toteach him her craft,but as their friendshipflourishes,social pressures become impossibleto escape and Tokue's dark secret is revealed,with devastating consequences.
Sweet Bean Paste is a moving novel about theburden of the past and the redemptive powerof friendship. Translated into English for the first time,Durian Sukegawa's beautiful proseis capturing hearts all over the world.
Publisher: Oneworld PublicationsISBN: 9781786071958Number of pages: 224Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 16 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'Simply delicious.'
'I'm in story heaven with this book.'
'Charmingly written,the plot is a continual surprise. A tale of sorrow that feels uplifting by its end.'
'As wise as it is moving,Sukegawa's novel beguiles and seduces the reader from evocative opening to compassionate close.'
'A poignant,poetic fable.'
'Sweet Bean Paste is a subtle,moving exploration of redemption in an unforgiving society...Sukegawa's writing style,delicately translated by Alison Watts,is well-matched to the subject matter: a slow,muted movement that gently guides the reader,while leaving the unnecessary unsaid... It is an original twist on the "odd couple"genre,in which two unlikely companions find they have much to offer each other,and retains much of the humour that genre entails. A book with deceptive heft and lingering resonance.'
'Enthralling...This is that rare book that leaves readers truly humbled,reminding us of everything we should be thankful for,and that it is never too late to do something with our lives.'
'Apolished piece of work,and a decent,touching read.'
'A beautifully rendered tale of outsiders coming together.'
'Charming and uplifting.'
'Sukegawa - enabled by Watts's lucid translation - tells an endearing,thoughtful tale about relationships and the everyday meaning of life... Readers in search of gently illuminating fare - e.g.,Shion Miura's The Great Passage,Jeff Talarigo's The Pearl Diver-will appreciate this toothsome treat.'
'Although Tokue's past is a reflection of a dark chapter of Japanese history,her wisdom,patience,and kindness shape this touching and occasionally wistful novel. Through Tokue's story,Sukegawa eloquently explores the seeds of biases and challenges us to truly listen to the natural world and the messages it artfully hides.'
'A perfect example of cover and content in total harmony- I love thislittle masterpiece.'
'An ode to cuisine and to life. Poignant,poetic,sensual: a treat.'
'Sweet Bean Paste is a short book that can be read quickly,yet it unfolds at a relaxed pace. The changing seasons provide reference points for the changes in the characters,but never in a way that seems forced.'
'This mixture of grief and solace,cherry blossoms and red beans is a recipe for happiness.'
'Sweet Bean Pasteis a book for your heart,mind...and appetite... It feels important,significant and far-reaching. It really is a moving and inspiring story which is as heart-warming as a delicious dorayaki,well maybe with a bit of salt. It is not often that a book touches your very soul and,therefore,Sweet Bean Pastedeserves the highest of marks.'
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