Ice-Candy-Man (filmed as 1947)

Book Title: !ce Candy Man

Author: Bapsi Sidhwa

Length: 277 pages

Brief Description: The story is set during the tumultuous period when India gained her independence from the loathsome British Raj. The release of the subcontinent country from European rule is overshadowed by the notorious year, 1947. The year names were replaced by religion. The year friends became enemies. The year 11 million people lost their homes. The year millions were raped, tortured, killed. The year known as Partition.

Bapsi Sidhwa tells the novel, somewhat autobiographical, through the thoughts of a precocious and very mature Lenny Sethi. "Baby Lenny" begins her story living in an idyllicbubble as a naïve four year old and concludes four years later completely stripped of herchildhood illusions and her bubble sufficiently deflated....

Why I recommend it: Bapsi Sidhwa's novel, Ice Candy Man, ... was a thoroughly enjoyable and excitable read. The award-winning authoress was born in Lahore during the days reflected upon as undivided India. Her early childhood was spent seeing her country and countrymen divided right before her eyes and this is easily deciphered through her character's narration in the novel. She has done an exceptional job of transporting her reader to that bloody era and forcing them to experience the betrayal, terror and separatism faced by a country of a billion plus citizens. The reason I decided to even pick up this book was all owing to the writer's name because I had previously enjoyed her other novels; this recent read being no exception to my delight. Her previous existing novels, Crow Eaters, An American Brat, and The Bride all reflect Ms. Sidhwa's strong sense of her Parsee culture and also consistent with this author's style Ice Candy Man is filled with humorous anecdotes and lovable characters.

Do I have a copy others can borrow: Yes