Sweet Bean Paste Paperback – 14 November 2017
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Product details
- Language : English
- Paperback : 224 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1786071959
- ISBN-13 : 978-1786071958
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Best Sellers Rank:
2,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 4 in Asian Literature
- 10 in Baking
- 28 in Historical Fiction
- Customer reviews:
Product description
Review
‘Simply delicious.’
― Guardian‘I'm in story heaven with this book.’
― Cecelia Ahern, author of PS, I Love You‘Charmingly written, the plot is a continual surprise. A tale of sorrow that feels uplifting by its end.’
― i (The Independent)‘As wise as it is moving, Sukegawa’s novel beguiles and seduces the reader from evocative opening to compassionate close.’
― The Herald‘A poignant, poetic fable.’
― Denis Thériault, author of The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman‘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.’
― Japan Times‘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.’
― The Bookbag‘A polished piece of work, and a decent, touching read.’
― Complete Review‘A beautifully rendered tale of outsiders coming together.’
― B&N Reads‘Charming and uplifting.’
― Press AssociationAbout the Author
Durian Sukegawa studied oriental philosophy at Waseda University, before going on to work as a reporter in Berlin and Cambodia in the early 1990s. He has written a number of books and essays, TV programmes and films. He lives in Tokyo.
Alison Watts is a freelance translator, translating literature from Japanese into English. She lives in Ibaraki, Japan.
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The young man who works seven days a week is the only shop employee. One day he is approached by a very old lady with twisted fingers for a job. Totally out of the question. He eventually relents because of her talent for making sweet bean paste and her accepting a low wage. He learns much more from her than how to make sweet bean paste. The middle school girl comes and goes, but she is also important to the story.
The ending is sad, but full of hope. I don't want to give anything away that might spoil it, but the little old lady came from a life I would have never guessed. I loved it.

Reviewed in the United States on 14 August 2020
The young man who works seven days a week is the only shop employee. One day he is approached by a very old lady with twisted fingers for a job. Totally out of the question. He eventually relents because of her talent for making sweet bean paste and her accepting a low wage. He learns much more from her than how to make sweet bean paste. The middle school girl comes and goes, but she is also important to the story.
The ending is sad, but full of hope. I don't want to give anything away that might spoil it, but the little old lady came from a life I would have never guessed. I loved it.


With simple prose, Sukegawa draws the reader in to the complex lives of the characters. Each character is in need of redemption from their past sins and from the despair that covers them.
It’s hard to classify this book. It’s a gentle read, soft on the spirit but touching to the heart. There is a touch of bitterness to it, as well. Not all things work out, as in real life. But Hope, well, hope comes again, like the Cherry Blossoms in Spring.
Worth reading, in particular if you find yourself in a place where you need a bit of hope. Drink with a soft soul and a fragrant cup of tea.

It's a tear jerker, so be prepared. But it's a revealing look into loss and longing. I enjoyed it.

This sweet novel starts with a simple premise but develops into a tender meditation on the significance of being present, the beauty of manual work, the wisdom of food and the dignity of a simple life well lived. It taught me about the history of Hansen’s disease in Japan and the often cruel and stigmatizing practices the government implemented to control its spread, such as sterilization and forced isolation, and maintained even after leprosy had been eradicated.
I wish Sukegawa would have spent more time developing his two principal characters. They are loosely drawn and this made it difficult to truly feel for their struggles or share in their joys. Because the plot is simple, I feel the novel would have benefited from a protagonist with a more sophisticated inner life. His writing style was also too simplistic for my taste, I often craved for more poetic or original descriptions of the sweet bean paste or the cherry trees. For these reasons, I cannot say I loved this book but I enjoyed it enough to recommend it, specially if you are looking for a heart warming read.

It’s a delightful yet moving story that touches on a dark almost forgotten chapter in Japanese history. It deals with friendship, prejudice, and perhaps most importantly what life should mean for each of us. Having traveled to Japan and immersing myself in their culture I’ve found that as a country and a people they have much to be proud yet this book touches on a hidden almost forgotten chapter in their history. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the “little things” in life.