A book report of Bapsi Sidhwa's novel, Ice Candy Man, for a school assignment. The book is based on the partition of 1947. It was also made into a movie, Earth: 1947.

1. Ice Candy Man
A book report by Minahil Tayab.

2. Title:
Ice Candy Man (Also
known as Cracking India)
Author:
Bapsi Sidhwa
Publisher:
Milkweed Editions
Publishing Date:
1991

3. Summary
“Ice Candy Man”, by Bapsi Sidhwa is a story featuring the Partition of 1947, with
recurring themes of religious politics, bloodshed, innocents’ sufferings, feminism, and
moral values. The story is narrated through the eyes of a polio-stricken girl, Lenny. It
focuses on how religion and politics can destroy lives of innocents and make them morally
corrupt. In “Ice Candy Man”, one admirer of Lenny’s ayah, Dil Navaz, encounters an
incident which makes him against Hindus, compelling him to kidnap and
mistreat Shanta. The story highlights feminism suffering at the hands
of people who use the name of religion to commit heinous and savage
acts. It’s a story about trust betrayed and innocence shattered.

4. Lenny
A limping Parsee
girl from whose
eyes the author
portrays a story
featuring partition,
religious politics,
love, betrayal,
redemption and
feminism.
Lenny’s 18 years
old ayah that
becomes like many
others, victim of
her religion and
the tragedies
following partition.
A joyous Muslim
admirer of Shanta
whose whole
demeanor changes
towards non-
Muslims after an
incident with his
sister.
Lenny’s godmother
who is the portrayal
of a strong woman,
not only excelling in
wisdom but also
having a deep
understanding of
the human minds.
Main Characters
Lenny Shanta Ice Candy
Man
Rodabai

5. “Review”
In my opinion “Ice Candy Man” by Bapsi Sidhwa is a
very well written, heart touching novel, which shows
the true nature of the 1947 partition and its
aftermath. In the book, Bapsi Sidhwa deals with how
religious matters affect the world and the victims
fallen to such tragedies, especially highlighting
feminine sufferings.