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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
A deeply moving story about the meaning of life, coming into this world, and simply existing. I’m crying so hard right now, that I can’t see my keyboard, so excuse me for leaving this sloppy review for such a perfect book.
I was shocked and sad to find out about the Leprosy Prevention Laws in Japan and what those entailed. So many lives and dreams lost. But the author did an excellent job in Tokue’s spirits by not focusing on nor denying the tragics, instead seeing beauty and purpose on being human in this world.
The writing was simply beautiful. The way they described the voices of the beans in the process of making sweet bean paste? So perfect, I could almost hear them whisper. The vivid descriptions of how adding salt changed the sweetness made my mouth water. At the same time the friendship between Tokue and Sentaro grew over time without needing much words, them bonding over perfecting the sweet bean paste recipe was enough to show how two lonely people find solace in each other’s company. This novel was so, so wonderfully crafted. Subtle yet powerful in delivering the message.
I truly enjoyed every minute of this book, loved the beautiful, deep meaning and the outstanding execution. Simply perfect.
I was shocked and sad to find out about the Leprosy Prevention Laws in Japan and what those entailed. So many lives and dreams lost. But the author did an excellent job in Tokue’s spirits by not focusing on nor denying the tragics, instead seeing beauty and purpose on being human in this world.
The writing was simply beautiful. The way they described the voices of the beans in the process of making sweet bean paste? So perfect, I could almost hear them whisper. The vivid descriptions of how adding salt changed the sweetness made my mouth water. At the same time the friendship between Tokue and Sentaro grew over time without needing much words, them bonding over perfecting the sweet bean paste recipe was enough to show how two lonely people find solace in each other’s company. This novel was so, so wonderfully crafted. Subtle yet powerful in delivering the message.
I truly enjoyed every minute of this book, loved the beautiful, deep meaning and the outstanding execution. Simply perfect.
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In some ways this kind of a bittersweet story, but it was also very uplifting. In particular I found the intergenerational relationship dynamics between Sentaro, Tokue and Wakana to be the uplifting aspect of this story with a lot of the conflict of the story resulting from societal perceptions and expectations.
I went into this story knowing nothing about it outside of it being a story "of friendship, love and loneliness in contemporary Japan." So I was really surprised when I learned more about Tokue's disability.
Overall, I thought it was a really well done book, and would highly recommend it if you want a bittersweet story, like Japanese literature, and want to learn about Japanese history regarding a certain kind of disability (read the spoiler section if you want to know more on that part).
I went into this story knowing nothing about it outside of it being a story "of friendship, love and loneliness in contemporary Japan." So I was really surprised when I learned more about Tokue's disability.
Spoiler
One of the reasons why I was surprised since I had read [b:Black Bird, Blue Road|60017800|Black Bird, Blue Road|Sofiya Pasternack|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1650561160l/60017800._SX50_.jpg|87467872] by Sofiya Pasternack, which also had representation of Hansen's Disease earlier this year. As a child Tokue got Hansen's Diesease, which is what led to her hooked hands and facial disfigurement. Due to this disease being stigmatized people want nothing to do with her for fear of catching the disease that she has long since been cured from and the harsh treatment she and others have gone through. In the author's note Durian Sukegawa talked about how he meet with people in Japan who had Hansen's Disease and got their stories so he could accurately reflect their experiences in this story. So I appreciate learning a bit more about some unfortunately horrifying Japanese history within this story well.Overall, I thought it was a really well done book, and would highly recommend it if you want a bittersweet story, like Japanese literature, and want to learn about Japanese history regarding a certain kind of disability (read the spoiler section if you want to know more on that part).
Muy hermoso. Me sorprendió para bien las temáticas que trata el libro.
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
I wasn't expecting to learn about Japanese leprosy history under a sweet treat ruse, but I'm not mad about it. There's even a few good bites about friendship, freedom, and the meaning of life
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Medical content, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No