Book Review: Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

Rating: ★★★★☆
Author: Durian Sukegawa
Genre: Japanese Fiction, Contemporary, Slice-of-Life

Synopsis

Brief Overview

Sweet Bean Paste tells a gentle, heartfelt story centered around three characters—Sentaro, Tokue, and Wakana—whose lives intersect at a small dorayaki (red bean pancake) shop. What begins as a simple story about making sweets slowly unfolds into a deeper exploration of loneliness, loss, and human connection.

Setting

The story is set around Doraharu, a tiny dorayaki shop in Japan, offering a cosy yet poignant backdrop for the characters' emotional journeys.

Main Characters

Sentaro: A middle-aged man burdened by regrets, running a dorayaki shop.
Tokue: An elderly woman living with the scars of Hansen’s disease, who brings her magic to Doraharu.
Wakana: A lonely young schoolgirl who forms an unexpected bond with Sentaro and Tokue.

Review of Sweet Bean Paste

Durian Sukegawa's Sweet Bean Paste is a tender story that initially feels like a quiet slice-of-life read but deepens into something far more meaningful as it progresses.

Honestly, until about chapter 18, I found the book just okay-ish. It was sweet, sure, but it hadn't grabbed me yet.

But once the second half kicked in, everything clicked into place.

The layers peeled back, revealing a story that quietly examines social stigma, particularly around Hansen’s disease (leprosy), and the hidden sufferings of those society has cast aside.

Sentaro, Tokue, and Wakana’s lives intertwine in a way that is simple yet profound. Tokue’s arrival at the dorayaki shop doesn’t just improve the sweets—they improve each other's lives, even if that improvement comes with bittersweet lessons.

Sukegawa doesn’t overwhelm the reader with drama. Instead, he uses small, tender moments to shed light on deep societal wounds, especially the cruelty faced by patients in Hansen's sanatoriums—a topic not often explored in mainstream fiction.

(And don't worry, I won't spoil it—I’ll leave it for you to experience that yourself.)

Analysis and Interpretation

Author's Style

Sukegawa’s writing is simple, lyrical, and rich with emotional undercurrents. His style suits the slow, reflective nature of the story, letting the characters and their emotions breathe.

Themes & Motifs

Major themes include social stigma, healing through connection, dignity in suffering, the importance of empathy, and how small acts of kindness can have lasting impacts.

Character Development

Sentaro’s growth is especially poignant—he begins trapped by guilt and regret, but through Tokue’s influence, he slowly opens up to the idea of living for himself, with compassion rather than shame.

Symbolism

The process of making dorayaki—with patience, respect, and love—beautifully mirrors the care required in human relationships. Tokue’s sweet bean paste itself becomes a symbol of resilience and gentleness against the harshness of the world.

Conclusion

Overall Impression

Sweet Bean Paste is a sweet, simple, and ultimately powerful novel. It lingers with you after you turn the last page, gently urging you to look at the world—and the people around you—with softer eyes.

Recommendation

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy quiet, character-driven stories that explore deep emotions and societal issues in an understated way. Perfect for fans of Japanese fiction that blends everyday life with profound humanity.