Sweet Bean Paste（あん）- Durian Sukegawa

洋書の古本屋さん KOSHO取扱商品 ー　

【抄録】

線路沿いから一本路地を抜けたところにある小さなどら焼き店。千太郎が日がな一日鉄板に向かう店先に、バイトの求人をみてやってきたのは70歳を過ぎた手の不自由な女性・吉井徳江だった。徳江のつくる「あん」の旨さに舌をまく千太郎は、彼女を雇い、店は繁盛しはじめるのだが……。偏見のなかに人生を閉じ込められた徳江、生きる気力を失いかけていた千太郎、ふたりはそれぞれに新しい人生に向かって歩き始める――。生命の不思議な美しさに息をのむラストシーン、いつまでも胸を去らない魂の物語。

"Sukegawa―enabled by Watts's lucid translation―tells an endearing, thoughtful tale about relationships and the everyday meaning of life. Readers in search of gently illuminating fare―e.g., Shion Miura's The Great Passage, Jeff Talarigo's The Pearl Diver―will appreciate this toothsome treat."
-- Library Journal
"Although Tokue’s past is a reflection of a dark chapter of Japanese history, her wisdom, patience, and kindness shape this touching and occasionally wistful novel. Through Tokue’s story, Sukegawa eloquently explores the seeds of biases and challenges us to truly listen to the natural world and the messages it artfully hides."
-- Booklist

Sentaro has failed: he has a criminal record, drinks too much, and hasn’t managed to fulfill his dream of becoming a writer. Instead, he works in a confectionery shop selling dorayaki, a type of pancake filled with a sweet paste made of red beans. With only the blossoming of the cherry trees to mark the passing of time, he spends his days listlessly filling the pastries. Until one day an elderly, handicapped woman enters the shop.

Tokue makes the best bean paste imaginable, and begins to teach Sentaro her art. But as their friendship flourishes, societal prejudices become impossible to escape, in this quietly devastating novel about the burden of the past and the redemptive power of friendship.

商品状態 - A: 比較的美品

Condition - A: Very Good