If you're a fan of tender, coming-of-age stories with quirky characters and a poetic style, this little novella will charm you. Kawakami weaves childlike innocence and subtle social commentary into a portrait of loneliness, curiosity, and acceptance, all through the fresh eyes of a fourth-grade boy. Ideal for readers who appreciate Japanese literature, slice-of-life tales, or stories that celebrate the beauty in small, everyday moments.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Those looking for a fast-paced plot, big revelations, or neatly tied-up endings might feel underwhelmed. The story is understated, introspective, and leans heavily on mood rather than dramatic action. Some might also find the ambiguous ending or the deliberately simple narrative style a bit unsatisfying or even too gentle for their taste.

Sweet, philosophical, and quietly powerful - this is a quick but memorable read that lingers in the heart long after the last page. Perfect if you want something touching and beautifully written, with all the feels of nostalgia and childhood wonder.

About:

Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami is a sweet and quirky novella that follows the story of a lonely fourth-grade boy who becomes infatuated with a woman who sells sandwiches at a local supermarket. The boy, accompanied by his best friend, navigates themes of friendship, love, loss, and growing up as he grapples with his feelings for the enigmatic Ms Ice Sandwich. The narrative is filled with moments of poignancy, power, and simplicity, drawing readers into the young narrator's world and emphasizing the importance of cherishing precious moments and relationships.

The writing style of Ms Ice Sandwich is described as beguiling, deceptively simple, and utterly wonderful. Through the eyes of the young protagonist, readers are taken on a journey that explores themes of grief, loneliness, and the complexities of human emotions. The novella leaves some questions unanswered, mirroring the unpredictability of life, while delivering a universal message of staying true to oneself and embracing uniqueness.

Characters:

Characters are well-drawn, each reflecting different angles of loneliness and the quest for connection.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines simplicity with lyrical moments, creating a poignant and accessible narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around a young boy who is enamored with a woman selling sandwiches, highlighting his daily life and emotional struggles.

Setting:

The setting combines a supermarket environment with the boy's home life, contextualizing his experiences within contemporary Japan.

Pacing:

The novella's pacing is rapid, enhanced by its concise structure, making for a swift yet meaningful read.

TWO-HUNDRED-THIRTEEN to Florida, three-hundred-twenty to polite, three-hundred-eighty to church medicine, four-hundred-fifteen to choco skip, four-hundred-thirty to your forties, vegetable boots is al...

Notes:

The story revolves around a young boy who buys egg sandwiches every day.

He has a crush on a woman he calls Ms Ice Sandwich, who works behind the counter.

His mother is depicted as selfish and distracted by her mobile phone.

The boy struggles with feelings of loneliness and seeks connection.

He finds solace in sketching and has a special bond with his sick grandmother.

The novella explores themes of loss, grief, and the importance of cherishing moments.

There is a critique of societal norms and appearances through the boy's observations.

The narrative is seen as both childlike and mature, appealing to readers of all ages.

Mieko Kawakami uses simple yet poignant language that captures deep emotional themes.

The boy navigates childhood complexities and the weirdness of adult society.

From The Publisher:

A quixotic and funny tale about first love - from the Akutagawa Prize-winning author.

A boy is obsessed with a woman who sells sandwiches. He goes to the supermarket almost every day, just so he can look at her face. She is beautiful to him, and he calls her "Ms Ice Sandwich", and endlessly draws her portrait.

But the boy's friend hears about this hesitant adoration, and suddenly everything changes. His visits to Ms Ice Sandwich stop, and with them the last hopes of his childhood.

A moving and surprisingly funny tale of growing up and learning how to lose, Ms Ice Sandwich is Mieko Kawakami at her very best.

2013

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128 pages

Ratings (13)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (5)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (43):

Read It (15)
Want To Read (20)
Not Interested (8)

1 comment(s)

Lone_Fox_Dancing

Liked It

3 months

A good story, but it felt a bit... undercooked. Like an ice sandwich that needs a bit more time to thaw... does make you want an egg sammie though...

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Ms Ice Sandwich

Mieko Kawakami

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