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Dublin6W Book Club

We're a group of readers who meet monthly in Terenure, Dublin 6W, Ireland. We were previously Terenure Book Club on Meetup.com.

Sweet Bean Paste: The International Bestseller

'I'm in story heaven with this book.' Cecelia Ahern, author of P.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 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.

BUY THE BOOK

224 pages

Average rating: 8

37 RATINGS

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5 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Mrs. Awake Taco
Nov 13, 2024
8/10 stars
I read this on the plane to Japan because I thought I should read a Japanese novel to keep on theme — and I loved it! Just love, love, loved it. Plus, I got to eat dorayaki while I was there! It wasn’t fresh off the grill, but it was delicious.
Anonymous
Oct 19, 2024
8/10 stars
I believe this is my first Japanese book! Although it's recommended to me by few people, I tried to go in it with no expectation. True to its culture, it focuses on one thing: dorayaki and its sweet bean paste.. but who knew behind it lies important life lessons and connections between the characters?

It's a short, slice-of-life kind of book. I appreciate the topics discussed throughout the book, how the main character transforms from apathetic and pessimistic to someone who cares.
Anonymous
Jun 17, 2024
10/10 stars
This book was bittersweet. After reading this it makes me want to be friends with every old lady I meet and beg her to show me her ways and tell me her story. This truly leaves a longing Nostalgia, almost like losing a dear friend. I loved loved loved this book. You really have to read it for yourself.
Iri
Apr 30, 2024
9/10 stars
This was just a great read. If you're unfamiliar with Japanese literature, it's a lovely place to start. Wholesome characters, their stories, thoughts, feelings. Some books you can just feel as you read them and this is one of them. Highly recommend
Ashi
Feb 01, 2023
Oh such a soulful book 🤩

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