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A review by dnb13003
Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is one of the top books I have read this year. I loved the interactions between the Doryaki shop owner and the older lady. You could see him grow as a character as he made the bean paste with her. It was very impactful to learn that the old lady had Hanson’s diesesse/leprosy as a child and was put in a santatorium, unable to leave. And I was surprised that people were released and that Japan only apologized to the people in these sanatoriums in 1996. The length of time for which people lived in these sanatoriums made it so when people finally left, citizens of Japan were still biased believing they could catch it. And some of the people who lived in the sanatorium for a long time no longer had a place to go, and would continue to live in the sanatorium. That is only 28 years ago really.
It was also interesting how the author discussed listening to the sounds of beans with the culture values of Japan. “People are seen to have lived a good life based on their contribution to society”, but the authors idea was this does not embody children who have passed for example. So rather it’s the idea that people, animals etc. exist with their purpose to perceive life.
It was also interesting how the author discussed listening to the sounds of beans with the culture values of Japan. “People are seen to have lived a good life based on their contribution to society”, but the authors idea was this does not embody children who have passed for example. So rather it’s the idea that people, animals etc. exist with their purpose to perceive life.