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42 pages 1 hour read

Anita Desai

Clear Light of Day

Anita DesaiFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

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Before You Read

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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.

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.

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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