Available through Amazon.com or BookSurge.com; ISBN: 9781439230053
Steff Deschenes, like many of us, likes ice cream. She says so in the first sentence of her book. However, unlike many of us, Deschenes is "infatuated" with ice cream and actually has a theory about ice cream and people's personalities. It's that theory, fueled by her obvious infatuation that is the basis of her book "The Ice Cream Theory".The fundamental principle of the Ice Cream Theory is simple enough: People are like ice cream. From that basic principle, the full theory blossoms and becomes much more nuanced and that's what this book is about. Through the use of personal examples, Deschenes explains which people in her life are represented by Chocolate-Chocolate Chip ice cream, Cookie Dough ice cream, and Rum Raisin ice cream, just to name a few. In all, there are twenty chapters that describe a flavor of ice cream, a type of person in the author's life, and the personification of the ice cream (how the person is the ice cream).
It's easy for someone to read this book and think, "That's not what I think Cookie Dough ice cream represents," and Deschenes is careful from the outset to warn the reader that everything written in "The Ice Cream Theory" is from her perspective. So, while she thinks that Pina Colada ice cream is akin to a "backup friend," it may not be that for you, the reader. In fact, that's a very important point of the Theory: while it applies to everyone, it's also different for everyone. My Chocolate ice cream might be your Vanilla ice cream. Your Birthday Cake ice cream might be my Peach Cobbler ice cream. And, most likely, my Pistachio ice cream is definitely not your Pistachio ice cream.
Throughout her book, Deschenes explains one of the biggest issues with making her Theory known to those around her: Everybody wants to know what flavor they are. As I read chapter after chapter of The Ice Cream Theory, I couldn't help wondering what flavor my friends would consider me to be and what flavor I consider some of my friends to be.
In the end, Deschenes does an excellent job of both laying out her theory as well as giving solid examples of her personal flavor associations. Through these examples, you not only get insight into the Theory, but also into the author's personal life. Through Deschenes' good times and bad times, the reader is better able to understand her Ice Cream Theory. It takes a special kind of braveness to put one's life out there for the entire world to judge, but without her bravery, Deschenes' theory would never be known to and comprehended by the rest of us.
If there is a weakness to "The Ice Cream Theory," it is also its strength. This book is a thinking person's book. If you don't find yourself wondering what flavor you are and what flavor those around you are, you're probably not "getting it." Don't be surprised when you pick up the book, read a couple of pages and then find yourself a half-hour later off in your own thoughts. For me, that's perfectly fine. For some, it may be too much of a start-and-stop book for their reading pleasure.
Overall, I found "The Ice Cream Theory" to be a thoroughly enjoyable read and am glad Deschenes took the risk of self-publishing. I would recommend this book to all lovers of ice cream as it will not only give you a new way at looking at yourself and those around you, but also a new way at looking at the ice cream you're thinking about eating.
Are you sure you want that Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream tonight?