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42 pages 1 hour read

Clear Light of Day

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

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Book Brief

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Anita Desai

Clear Light of Day

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980
Book Details
Pages

183

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Old Delhi, India • 1940s-1970s

Publication Year

1980

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

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Super Short Summary

Clear Light of Day by Anita Desai is a postcolonial novel set against the backdrop of Indian Independence and Partition, focusing on the Das family. Sisters Bim and Tara, whose lives have diverged, reunite to revisit past traumas and relationships with their brothers, Raja and Baba. Shifting between their present adulthood and childhood memories, the story explores family dynamics, gender struggles, and the impact of historical events on personal lives. Includes incidents of animal cruelty.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.8

4,327 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Anita Desai’s Clear Light of Day receives praise for its evocative portrayal of post-partition India, rich character development, and intricate family dynamics. Critics appreciate Desai's lyrical prose but some find the pacing slow. Overall, it's a thoughtful exploration of memory and resilience with both deeply moving and occasionally languid moments.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Clear Light of Day?

A reader who enjoys intricate family dynamics, evocative Indian settings, and introspective narratives will relish Clear Light of Day by Anita Desai. Fans of The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy and Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie will appreciate its lyrical prose and deep emotional currents.

3.8

4,327 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Character List

Bimla (Bim)

The older sister and a protagonist, Bim is a middle-aged, unmarried history teacher who appears older than her age due to the stress of maintaining her family responsibilities.

The younger sister and a protagonist, Tara follows a conventional path as a wife and mother, married to a diplomat, and she often recalls their childhood and family history.

The eldest Das sibling, Raja is fascinated by Mughal history and Urdu culture, and his character influences the motivations of the other characters despite his physical absence.

The youngest sibling with an intellectual disability who is largely non-verbal, Baba spends his days listening to old records and is a significant yet static presence in Bim's life.

Tara's husband, Bakul is an ambitious diplomat who often dismisses or controls Tara, prioritizing appearances and official positions in his career and personal life.

A widow who becomes a maternal figure to the Das siblings, Aunt Mira brings maternal love but struggles with addiction that affects her health and mental stability.

Book Details
Pages

183

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Old Delhi, India • 1940s-1970s

Publication Year

1980

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

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