Sentaro’s life has taken a downturn. He carries the weight of a criminal record, drinks excessively, and his once-cherished dream of becoming a writer has faded into a distant memory. As the cherry blossoms signal the passing of time, he spends his days in a small confectionery shop, selling dorayaki—pancakes filled with sweet bean paste.
But change is on the horizon.
One day, an elderly woman named Tokue enters his life. Despite her disfigured hands and troubled past, she creates the most exquisite sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. As she teaches him her craft, their friendship grows, but they soon find themselves entangled in the harsh realities of society. When Tokue’s dark secret comes to light, the consequences are devastating.
“Sweet Bean Paste” is a poignant novel that explores the weight of the past and the healing power of friendship. Now available in English for the first time, Durian Sukegawa’s evocative prose is touching hearts around the globe.
