Sandwich by Catherine Newman
Explore a comprehensive summary of Sandwich, written by acclaimed author Catherine Newman. This detailed guide offers an insightful breakdown of each chapter, providing key moments, themes, and characters to enhance your understanding of this must-read book.
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Chapters
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Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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Chapter 4
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Chapter 5
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Chapter 6
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Chapter 7
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Chapter 8
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Chapter 9
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Chapter 10
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Chapter 11
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Chapter 12
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Chapter 13
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Chapter 14
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Chapter 15
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Chapter 16
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Chapter 17
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Chapter 18
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Chapter 19
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Chapter 20
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Chapter 21
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Chapter 22
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Chapter 23
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Chapter 24
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Chapter 25
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Chapter 26
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Chapter 27
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Chapter 28
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Chapter 29
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Chapter 30
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Chapter 31
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Chapter 32
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Chapter 33
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Chapter 34
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Chapter 35
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Chapter 36
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Chapter 37
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Chapter 38
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Chapter 39
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Chapter 40
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Chapter 41
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Chapter 42
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Chapter 43
Chapter 1
A woman in her fifties reflects on her annual family vacation to a Cape Cod beach town, where she cherishes moments with her husband, grown children, and aging parents. Amidst the idyllic setting, she contemplates the complexities of love, family, and the passage of time, quoting William Blake to express the beauty and burden of human connection. The scene captures a fleeting yet profound moment of togetherness, tinged with nostalgia and the inevitability of change.
Chapter 2
A chaotic scene unfolds as the family deals with a toilet overflow at their rented cottage. Nick struggles to fix the issue while the narrator, his wife, balances humor and frustration, culminating in her slipping and falling in the bathroom. Amidst the mess, their daughter Willa interjects with complaints and questions, adding to the comedic tension of the situation.
Chapter 3
The narrator and her family are at a surf shop on Cape Cod, dealing with minor injuries and humorous mishaps from a bathroom accident. The family shops for swimsuits, with the narrator reflecting on her changing body and the passage of time. They reminisce about past summers and the quirks of family life, including playful banter and generational differences. Later, they head to the beach, where the narrator watches her husband and daughter play in the waves, evoking memories of her children growing up. The scene captures the bittersweet nature of family vacations, blending humor, nostalgia, and the inevitability of change.
Chapter 4
Willa is frustrated with Jamie for not engaging with her in the candy store as they used to, highlighting a shift in their relationship as they grow older. The parents reflect on the joys and challenges of raising their children, reminiscing about the past while navigating the present dynamics. The scene captures the bittersweet nature of parenting, as the children’s needs and behaviors evolve over time.
Chapter 5
Nick and the narrator bicker at a bakery over breakfast choices, revealing underlying tensions in their long-term relationship. They reflect on their children’s absence and how their lives have shifted since the kids grew up. The family prepares for a beach day, with the narrator nostalgically recalling past summers and the chaos of parenting. Amidst the mundane routines, there’s a sense of love and connection, though the narrator grapples with the bittersweet nature of aging and change.
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Chapter 6
Nick, Jamie, and Maya enjoy the waves while the narrator reflects on past beach trips and her evolving relationship with her body and family. She recalls a time when she asked Nick to drop her off at the beach alone, swimming until she could no longer feel her legs. Now, she shares a lighthearted lunch with her daughter Willa, embracing her imperfections and finding joy in the present. The family’s playful banter and shared memories highlight their deep connection, as they laugh and reminisce over the chaotic yet cherished moments of their lives together.
Chapter 7
Nick drops Willa and the narrator off at a pond after a beach trip, where they swim and reminisce about family memories. Willa reflects on her childhood experiences at the pond, including learning to swim, coming out to her parents, and writing a college essay about the place. The family bonds over shared memories, including playful games and the unique sound of the pond, while Willa expresses her longing for a larger family.
Chapter 8
A family gathers for a vacation, reminiscing about past summers and the chaos of raising young children. Willa deals with poison ivy, while Jamie prepares cocktails and dinner. The family reflects on the joys of having grown children, contrasting it with the challenges of earlier years. They share meals, laughter, and memories, appreciating the ease and comfort of their current dynamic. The evening ends with a sense of gratitude and connection, as they toast to their time together.
Chapter 9
The narrator wakes up on a sunny morning with Nick, reflecting on their long-standing relationship and the quirks of their family dynamics. Nick’s humor and patience are central to their bond, though the narrator grapples with feelings of frustration and exhaustion, particularly around parenting and menopause. Their daughter, Willa, interjects with her own observations, adding a layer of generational humor. The couple goes for a run, where they discuss family issues, including the narrator’s father’s favoritism among their children. Later, they forage for mushrooms and prepare them together, showcasing their shared routines and deep connection. Despite occasional tensions, their love and commitment remain strong.
Chapter 10
A couple attempts to have make-up sex in an outdoor shower, but it turns into a comical failure due to physical discomfort and anatomical challenges. The narrator reflects on her complicated relationship with her body, including reproductive issues, allergies, and infections, which have made intimacy fraught with frustration and humor. The family spends time at the beach, where the narrator reminisces about past summers, her children’s childhood, and her own struggles with anxiety and loss. Despite the underlying tension and grief, there are moments of connection and love, as the family shares jokes, memories, and the simple joys of being together.
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Chapter 11
A family gathers at a clam shack, engaging in humorous and candid conversations about hot flashes, relationships, and family dynamics. The narrator reflects on her aging parents’ upcoming visit and the challenges of accommodating them. The family discusses meal plans, with the children sharing updates about their work and personal lives, including Maya’s fossil research and Willa’s bumblebee experiments. Amidst the laughter and banter, the narrator grapples with moments of self-doubt and embarrassment, revealing her deep affection for her family despite her quirks.
Chapter 12
Maya wakes her parent in the early morning to share that she is pregnant, expressing uncertainty about her feelings and options. They discuss her past experiences with pregnancy and abortion, as well as her current relationship with Jamie, whom she has not yet informed. The conversation is punctuated by a storm, mirroring the emotional turbulence of the situation.
Chapter 13
The narrator discusses her struggles with menopause, including vaginal atrophy and the high cost of treatment, during a visit to her doctor. She shares a candid conversation with her friend Jo, who expresses frustration over the disparity in healthcare costs and societal attitudes toward women’s health. The narrator reflects on her feminist beliefs and questions why she was unaware of such common menopausal issues.
Chapter 14
The family gathers in a cozy cottage during a storm, sharing moments of warmth and humor. Willa, Maya, and Jamie engage in playful banter with their parents, Nick and the narrator, as they discuss their anxieties and relationships. The family reminisces about past summers, including the narrator’s pregnancy with Jamie, revealing the emotional and physical toll of parenting. Later, they visit a library book sale, where each family member explores their interests, from poetry to cookbooks, highlighting their unique personalities. The day ends with lighthearted teasing and a sense of togetherness, despite the narrator’s occasional frustrations and longing for solitude.
Chapter 15
The narrator wakes from a nightmare about losing a baby in the ocean, feeling breathless and unsettled. She and her husband, Nick, discuss their ongoing arguments, which stem from her frustration with their relationship and her own behavior, including drinking too much and lashing out. Their daughter, Willa, interjects with humorous commentary, adding levity to the tense atmosphere. The narrator reflects on their relationship dynamics, feeling a disconnect despite her love for Nick. She seeks forgiveness and reassurance, clinging to their bond while grappling with her own insecurities and past struggles. The scene ends with a mix of humor and vulnerability as the family navigates their complex interactions.
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Chapter 16
The narrator reflects on the physical and emotional challenges of menopause, describing it as a series of leaks, losses, and absurdities. From receding hairlines and crepey skin to unexpected bodily changes and memory lapses, the experience is both isolating and darkly humorous. Amidst the chaos, there is a poignant beauty in aging, though it is often overshadowed by frustration and a longing for understanding.
Chapter 17
The narrator’s parents visit the beach, bringing warmth and nostalgia as the family gathers for lunch and casual conversation. The narrator reflects on their parents’ aging, their mother’s frailty, and the enduring love and care within the family. Amidst lighthearted moments, such as Willa helping her grandfather with his spam folder and the family’s playful banter, deeper themes of loss and resilience emerge, including past miscarriages and the narrator’s concern for her mother’s health. The beach setting, filled with colorful umbrellas and lively interactions, serves as a backdrop for both joy and quiet reflection on life’s fleeting beauty and the bonds that sustain them.
Chapter 18
The narrator, a mother of two young children, discovers she is six weeks pregnant during a routine ultrasound. Despite the initial excitement, she later miscarries during a trip to the Cape, where she seeks solace in the ocean. The experience leaves her grappling with conflicting emotions of loss and a desire to hold onto the life she already has.
Chapter 19
A family gathers in a crowded house, navigating the chaos of shared spaces and damp towels. The narrator reflects on her childhood loneliness and her parents’ intense romance, which left little room for her. As the family prepares dinner, tensions rise when the narrator’s father reveals a long-held secret about his grandparents’ fate during the Holocaust, a truth he had never shared before. The revelation shocks the narrator, who feels betrayed by the omission. The family grapples with the weight of inherited trauma and the complexities of their shared history. Despite the emotional turmoil, they come together for a meal, finding moments of connection and laughter. The evening ends with a sense of bittersweet reflection on the past and the enduring bonds of family.
Chapter 20
During a routine prenatal appointment, the narrator and her husband, Nick, discover that their unborn baby no longer has a heartbeat. Overwhelmed with grief and anger, they are presented with medical options, and the narrator chooses medication to induce the process. The chapter ends with the narrator reflecting on her loss and the bittersweet comfort of her two living children.
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Chapter 21
The narrator wakes to the sound of her father struggling with a Nespresso machine, setting the tone for a chaotic morning. The family interacts humorously, with the narrator’s parents fumbling with kitchen appliances and the children navigating the commotion. The narrator reflects on her daughter Willa’s childhood habits and her own parenting, revealing a mix of nostalgia and self-awareness. As the family prepares for the day, they engage in light-hearted banter, share meals, and discuss topics ranging from politics to personal quirks. The narrator’s husband, Nick, remains calm and good-natured, contrasting with the family’s lively dynamics. The day unfolds with a blend of humor, warmth, and subtle reflections on aging, family relationships, and self-perception.
Chapter 22
A couple, Nick and the narrator, stop at a pharmacy after an ultrasound. The pharmacist mistakenly claims the narrator has taken Misoprostol before, which she denies. The narrator takes the medication, anticipating the outcome she knows is inevitable.
Chapter 23
A family gathers for a day at the beach, navigating the chaos of organizing everyone and loading their belongings onto a tram. Conversations range from humorous misunderstandings about diseases to playful banter about Harry Potter and seagulls. The narrator reflects on the challenges of parenting and the overwhelming love she feels for her children, while also dealing with her aging parents’ quirks. Tensions arise when her son Jamie reveals his girlfriend is pregnant, leading to a heartfelt but awkward conversation. The day takes a dramatic turn when the narrator mistakenly believes her father is drowning, prompting a frantic reaction.
Chapter 24
A family at the beach is alarmed by a reported shark sighting, but the real concern arises when the mother collapses in the sand. While the lifeguards and family members attend to her, she reassures everyone that she simply stood up too quickly. Amid the chaos, the narrator notices a quiet, intimate moment between Jamie and Maya, hinting at their deepening relationship.
Chapter 25
A mother returns home from the Cape with her young children, Jamie and Willa, and experiences a traumatic miscarriage. She is overwhelmed by the physical and emotional aftermath, describing the loss in vivid, painful detail. The scene captures her grief and the unexpected emptiness she feels.
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Chapter 26
The narrator accompanies their mother to the hospital after she suffers from dehydration and heat exhaustion. During the ambulance ride, the mother vomits but remains stable, with the EMT reassuring the narrator. At the hospital, the mother sleeps while the narrator reflects on mortality and the inevitability of losing loved ones. The family gathers, and the narrator’s father expresses his deep love for the mother. Outside, the narrator and Willa share snacks and discuss Maya’s pregnancy, revealing family dynamics and personal reflections on parenthood and relationships. The scene ends with the narrator’s father bringing coffee and signaling it’s time to return to the hospital.
Chapter 27
The narrator returns to the doctor for a follow-up and learns about her mother’s heart condition, which her parents had not previously disclosed. The doctor reassures them that the condition is manageable, but the narrator is both relieved and frustrated by the lack of communication. The family leaves the hospital, with the narrator reflecting on the emotional revelations of the day.
Chapter 28
A year after a miscarriage, the narrator struggles with the emotional and physical toll of trying to conceive again, despite already having two children. The rollercoaster of hope and despair, coupled with guilt and grief, overwhelms her, leading her to decide against trying again. The weight of loss remains a constant, unrelenting presence in her life.
Chapter 29
The family returns to the cottage, where tensions and emotions run high as they discuss their mother’s upcoming heart valve surgery. Despite the underlying stress, moments of humor and connection emerge, particularly during a lighthearted conversation about the surgery and a toast to survival. The day ends with a mix of vulnerability, love, and absurdity, highlighting the complexity of family dynamics.
Chapter 30
The narrator reflects on the overwhelming exhaustion and fear of parenting two young children, Jamie and Willa. They describe the intense love they feel for their children, coupled with the constant anxiety of keeping them safe. The narrator admits to understanding the dark thoughts some parents have, though they hope they would never act on them.
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Chapter 31
The family enjoys a peaceful evening on the deck, sharing a meal and reflecting on their time together. The narrator and her daughter, Willa, take a night swim in the pond, where they discuss family matters, including the narrator’s mother’s health and Maya’s pregnancy. The moment is filled with warmth and connection, as they bond under the night sky.
Chapter 32
A mother reflects on her past, revealing a deeply personal and painful story to her daughter, Willa. She recounts her struggles with motherhood, including a miscarriage and an abortion, which she kept secret for years. The mother describes her overwhelming anxiety, exhaustion, and undiagnosed postpartum depression, which made her feel incapable of caring for another child. As they float in the water, the conversation becomes a moment of vulnerability and connection, with Willa offering comfort and understanding. The mother’s emotional turmoil is juxtaposed with moments of levity, such as when they encounter a small turtle in the water. The scene ends with the arrival of the father, hinting at unresolved tension in their family dynamic.
Chapter 33
The narrator recounts a painful moment of anticipating a miscarriage, feeling isolated despite her husband’s sympathy. She finds solace in her young children, Jamie and Willa, whose innocent joy and laughter provide a temporary escape from her emotional turmoil. The family plans a trip to Cape Cod, offering a glimmer of hope and normalcy amidst the uncertainty.
Chapter 34
The narrator struggles with insomnia, scrolling through random topics on their phone, from recipes to traumatic historical events, while contemplating living alone. A tense conversation with Nick reveals a long-hidden secret about a terminated pregnancy, causing emotional turmoil and self-loathing. Despite the pain, Nick comforts the narrator, highlighting the complexity of their relationship and the lingering sense of home he represents.
Chapter 35
The narrator struggles with insomnia, reflecting on her anxieties and the emotional weight of her past decisions, including an abortion and a miscarriage. She confides in her partner, Nick, about her feelings of guilt, regret, and the fear of losing their existing children. The conversation reveals her deep emotional turmoil and the impact of these experiences on her mental health. Despite their closeness, she feels a disconnect, as if they inhabit different emotional worlds. The chapter ends with a moment of levity as they consider swimming in the ocean, symbolizing a desire for release and connection.
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Chapter 36
Nick and the narrator discuss Maya’s pregnancy, revealing tension in their relationship as they navigate emotional labor and communication. The narrator feels overwhelmed by the responsibility of managing others’ feelings, while Nick acknowledges his tendency to avoid emotional involvement. Despite their frustrations, their physical connection and mutual affection remain strong, culminating in a moment of intimacy and humor.
Chapter 37
The family gathers for a relaxed morning breakfast on the deck, sharing coffee, pancakes, and light-hearted conversations. Willa and Maya browse an old Gourmet magazine, while Jamie and the narrator’s mom prepare food. The family discusses plans for the day, including the parents’ drive home, and shares concerns about health and safety. Jamie and Maya announce their engagement, bringing joy and excitement to the group. The narrator reflects on the changing dynamics of family life and the need to adapt to new realities. The morning ends with warmth and laughter as they clear the table and share small, meaningful moments.
Chapter 38
The narrator bids farewell to her parents as they drive away, sparking a moment of emotional reflection with her daughter, Willa. Willa expresses her fear of losing loved ones, and the narrator acknowledges her own struggles with anticipatory grief, which she believes Willa has inherited. The two discuss family trauma and epigenetics, with Willa questioning whether inherited trauma plays a role in their emotional tendencies. Later, during a laundry session, the narrator opens up about her past abortion, expressing regret and shame, while Willa challenges her mother’s feelings, emphasizing the importance of choice. The conversation shifts to Willa’s future and her thoughts on pregnancy, highlighting her identity as a queer individual. The scene concludes with a touching moment of empathy as Willa comforts a young girl grieving the loss of a stinky shell, underscoring the universal need for understanding and connection.
Chapter 39
The narrator reflects on the physical and emotional scars left by childbirth, particularly from C-sections, and the lingering impact of subsequent pregnancies that ended in loss. A vivid memory of a cyst near the C-section scar serves as a metaphor for the enduring pain and trauma. The narrator grapples with the invisible wounds of loss, describing it as a deep, vertiginous void that lingers in the body and psyche.
Chapter 40
The narrator reflects on a mix of emotions—sadness, relief, anger, and love—while spending time with family at a cottage. The group debates over egg salad sandwiches but ultimately decides to buy lunch from a deli. As they enjoy their meal, conversations range from the metamorphosis of caterpillars to the challenges of parenting semi-grown children. The narrator grapples with the bittersweet reality of her children growing up and leaving home, while also cherishing the moments they still share together. The day ends with a trip to the beach, where the family enjoys each other’s company, despite the underlying sense of change and loss.
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Chapter 41
A couple, Nick and the narrator, argue amidst the cold, crashing waves of the ocean, their tension palpable as they struggle to communicate. The narrator reflects on the mundane yet profound nature of life, comparing it to foraging—neither extraordinary nor disastrous, but filled with subtle beauty and daily challenges. The narrator contemplates letting go of emotional burdens, inspired by a friend’s advice to set sorrow and anger free, even as they physically and emotionally navigate the turbulent waves.
Chapter 42
A family reflects on their time together during a beach vacation, sharing humorous and poignant moments. The narrator contemplates the nature of love, loss, and the passage of time, expressing gratitude for their children and the fleeting beauty of life. The day ends with a decision to savor their remaining time together by visiting the pond.
Chapter 43
The narrator reflects on life, death, and love during a family wedding and memories of their mother’s final days in hospice. The mother’s wisdom about embracing life’s imperfections and the narrator’s grief intertwine with moments of humor and tenderness. After her passing, the family spreads her ashes in Central Park, finding beauty and magic in nature. The narrator grapples with loss through poetry, a rescue kitten, and the enduring love of family. At the wedding, a toast emphasizes the importance of sharing and cherishing love, as the narrator leans into their own healing journey.
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