📖 Novel of the Week: Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

Have you ever had the need to read a novel with normal people as protagonists, who have normal lives? A novel that describes relatable events and encounters that somehow will change the characters prospectives about life? 
If you're answer is yes, look no further and read Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa!

Sentaro works, without much ambitions or efforts, at Dorahu, a dorayaki shop (Japanese pancakes filled with red beans paste). One day, at the beginning of the sakura season, one curious old lady shows up at the shop, asking if she can apply for the part-time position offered. Sentaro was looking more for somebody to keep him company rather than an actual worker, as the custumers are not that many.

Reluctant at first, Sentaro will eventually end up hiring Tokue after tasting her sweet bean paste: it is nothing like anything he has ever tasted, perfectly balances in every flavour.
Custumers seem to appreciate the changed recipe as well, as the shop starts to become successful reaching the point where sometimes they'll run out of supplies and will have to close earlier.

Tokue is nice and welcoming to everybody and takes the habit to talk with high schoolers, becoming particularly attached to one of them, Wakana.
Right when Sentaro starts thinking perhaps he can aspire to something more from his life, Tokue is forced to quit from the shop owner, who came across with an incredible truth about her...

👍👎My Thoughts

I can count on one hand the times I've been crying while reading a book and I'll add 'Sweet Bean Paste' to that list.
This is the tipical Japanese story, where even the most sensational or mesmerizing plot twist is taken with calm and and reserved approach...
It's more an introspective kind of book, with few dialogues and tons of inner thoughts, but this doesn't make it boring, on the contrary I found it appealing and a quick read.

I sincerely think it's one of those books everybody should read once in their lives.
Here's the movie trailer, I'll definitely watch it!

My vote: 10/10

Ph: goodreads.com/youtube.com