A review by saoreads
Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-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

It spoke of friendships made by different people in different phases of life—an old woman, a middle-aged man, and a middle schooler. It all began when Tokue wanted to work in a certain confectionery shop. When we are asked, "What do you want in life?" Often, it's a state of wanting to be a useful member of society, always wanting to be contributing something, and sometimes when that doesn't happen, we get upset and down, being pulled by the strings of a reality that has nothing good to offer. Yet this book shows there is always hope. With yearning, Tokue began to see and listen to the world with poetical clarity, and that has made all the difference. The romanticism and being able to give life to nature and our surroundings was a matter of our own mindset that led to her accepting it and having the confidence to say this is her life. And it's a special book now close to my heart that makes me hope that I can one day say with confidence, "This is my life."
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