Mieko Kawakami; trans. Louise Heal Kawai
Ms. Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami, translated by Louise Heal Kawai, is a quiet and touching novella in which very little happens. In the first-person point of view of a young boy in the 4th grade, it tells the story of his school-boy crush on a woman who sells sandwiches in the local supermarket. He orders a sandwich from her in order to study her face and expressive eyes. The woman is surly and non-communicative, which only adds to her mystique.
The boy is never named, but we know a little about his background. He lives with his mother and grandmother. His father died when he was young, and his grandmother is bed-ridden and no longer able to speak. He feels disconnected from his mother who spends more time tinkering with her cell phone than paying attention to him. He confides to his grandmother, pouring out his heart, crying, and sharing the pictures he has drawn of Ms. Ice Sandwich.
His visits to the supermarket cease when he overhears his classmates ridiculing Ms. Sandwich’s appearance. His young friend, Tutti, convinces him he has to resume his visits before it is too late. Like our narrator, Tutti has also experienced loss—the death of her mother. The narrator reluctantly agrees and presents Ms. Sandwich with his final portrait of her as a gift. For the first time, she acknowledges him. And she smiles.
The narrative unfolds slowly, subtly, and with a minimal plot. Told in simple, child-like language, Kawakami captures the conflicted feelings of a young boy experiencing his first infatuation. The narrator is shy, naïve, painfully self-conscious, sensitive, and struggles to understand and articulate his feelings. He learns valuable lessons about life, love, grief, and coping with loss. He witnesses the harsh treatment toward those like Ms. Ice Sandwich who are deemed other. And from Tutti, his young class mate, he learns the value of honoring his feelings, of remaining true to himself, and of connecting with people he cares about while it’s still possible because one can never know when they may disappear from his life forever. Tutti’s message is particularly poignant and shows a maturity beyond her years.
A charming coming-of-age story told with a gentle, unassuming touch. Recommended.