Book: Sweet Bean Paste by Duran Sukegawa

The book is as delightful as the reviews suggest. It tells the insightful story of Sentaro, who runs a café to pay off a debt to his landlord. Although he once dreamed of being a writer, life took a turn, and he lost his creative ambition.

One day, an elderly woman approaches him looking for work. Tokue was eager to work for half the regular rate, clearly seeking something tfulfilling o do rather than merely needing money.

Sentaro agrees to give Tokue a chance after he tastes a sample of her homemade sweet bean paste, as he had only ever used ready-made products in his creations.

The introduction of a third main character, a young local student, adds a nice balance to this insightful, bittersweet (no pun intended) read. Both of these women enlighten in Sentaro a spark of creativity and ambition he had long lost.

Throughout the story, we witness the dynamics of intergenerational friendships and uncover the troubled backstories of the characters. The novel offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and history, highlighting how society often marginalizes those with physical illnesses.

I look forward to more from this author.