49 pages • 1 hour read
Bapsi SidhwaIce Candy Man
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa is narrated by Lenny Sethi, a young Parsee girl, and explores the turmoil of the Partition of India in 1947, focusing on religious intolerance and mass violence. Lenny witnesses the disintegration of ethnic and religious harmony in Lahore and matures through these harrowing experiences. The novel delves into themes of identity, ethnic strife, and women's resilience. The narrative addresses graphic violence, sexual assault, and the subjugation of women.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa captures the harrowing impact of the Partition of India through the innocent lens of a young girl. Reviewers praise Sidhwa's vivid storytelling and historical insight, though some criticize the graphic violence and complex narrative structure. Overall, the novel stands out for its emotional depth and cultural significance.
Who Should Read Ice Candy Man?
Readers who appreciate historical fiction infused with personal and cultural turmoil will enjoy Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa. Fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner or Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children will find its exploration of the Partition of India similarly gripping and poignant.