Ms Ice Sandwich : Book Review




Title: Ms Ice Sandwich
Author: Mieko Kawakami
Genre: Translation (Japanese)



Set in Japan, Ms Ice Sandwich is a story of a boy who has a massive crush on this woman who sells egg sandwiches in a supermarket. She appears cold and aloof which earns her a reputation of being icy. The boy frequents the store to get a glimpse of her. As the story progresses, he describes his mother's obsession with her phone, his grandma's illness and his classmate Tutti. 



Written in first person, Ms Ice Sandwich is a heartwarming narrative where readers get a glimpse of the world through the boy's eyes. His observations and sensitivity interspersed with philosophical musings depict a certain maturity for his age. 

The tone is quirky, sometimes funny and has a matter of fact ring to it. It sort of reminds you of The Catcher in the rye and The curious incident of the dog in the nighttime. It also subtly brings to light the harsh reality  of body shaming and society's judgmental stance on physical appearances. Another interesting aspect showcased is how the narrator uses art as therapy for his troubles. 

This coming of age story is bittersweet and wistful. It showcases the importance of saying goodbye, accepting endings and moving on.


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