Clear Light of Day (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The koels began to call before daylight..." (more)
Key Phrases: Aunt Mira, Hyder Ali, Miss Das (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A rich, Chekhovian novel by one of the most gifted of contemporary Indian writers." -- Review

Review

“A wonderful novel about silence and music, about the partition of a family as well as a nation.”

The New York Times

“A rich, Chekhovian novel by one of the most gifted of contemporary Indian writers.”

The New Yorker

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Product Details Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Mariner Books; Reprint edition (September 12, 2000) Language: English ISBN-10: 0618074511 ISBN-13: 978-0618074518 Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #300,120 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #4 in  Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( D ) > Desai, Anita

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
The koels began to call before daylight. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Aunt Mira, Hyder Ali, Miss Das, New Delhi, Miss Singh, Old Delhi, Kashmere Gate, Lord Byron, Miss Stephen, Bela Road, Jamia Millia, Lodi Gardens

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 10 books:

• Diamond Dust: Stories by Anita Desai in Front Matter, and Back Matter
• Fasting, Feasting by Anita Desai in Front Matter, and Back Matter
• The Waste Land and Other Writings (Modern Library Classics) by T.S. Eliot on page 41
• The Waste Land (Norton Critical Editions) by T. S. Eliot on page 41
• In Custody: Tie-In Edition by Anita Desai in Front Matter

See all 10 books this book cites

 

71 books cite this book:

• Negotiating Identities in Women's Lives by Christine W. Sizemore on 12 pages
• A Divided Legacy: The Partition in Selected Novels of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh by Niaz Zaman on 9 pages
• Colonial Karma: Self, Action, and Nation in the Indian English Novel by Josna E. Rege on 8 pages
• En-Gendering India: Woman and Nation in Colonial and Postcolonial Narratives by Sangeeta Ray on 6 pages
• The Politics of the Female Body: Postcolonial Women Writers by Ketu H. Katrak on 5 pages

See all 71 books citing this book

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	85% buy the item featured on this page: Clear Light of Day 4.2 out of 5 stars (13) $10.04
	4% buy Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard: A Novel 4.3 out of 5 stars (49) $10.08
	4% buy The White Tiger: A Novel (Man Booker Prize) 4.0 out of 5 stars (290) $10.08
	4% buy Fasting, Feasting 3.1 out of 5 stars (33) $3.49

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (5) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.2 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A very truthful, warm and touching domestic drama., January 12, 2006 By  Li (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews This is a very warming, touching book about family interactions, moments of happiness and moments of sadness all intertwined together to become what life is, a series of events, sometimes good, sometimes bad, what comes, comes. What is gone is gone just like the snail mentioned in the book that was found by the characters at times but only to lose the pearl again where the cycle repeats itself. This is a story that informs us about the ups and downs in life and how everyone faces it differently. To do so, the author cleverly uses true realistic characters to portray this Each member of the Das family is distinctly unique. It is a touching story about how distinctly different each individual is and how each has their own separate lives, keeping them apart from each other. Bimla is independent and intelligent and is able to survive on her own without the help of others but unfortunately she is very dissatisfied with life. Tara, unlike her elder sister, is not ambitious and is very dependent. All she wanted is to find a life where she will not have to take responsibility and have no need to worry about her life which she succeeded in finding an ambassador as her husband. Lastly Raja, the elder brother, who is ambitious and has always dreamt of being the hero ended up as a successful, well-off man. With each leading a different life, each has a different view of things and this leads to many conflicts between the siblings. However no matter how different they are, they grew up together, shared many precious moments together, creating a bond that can never be broken, love. Love is what connected them to each other. Love teaches the characters how to forgive and forget, how to compromise with one another with compassion, how to move on and how to stand side by side with each other to face the world together. Especially to Bimla who had melted her anger and learn to love the world again for what it is with the help of her loving sister, Tara. Love will overcome all differences and difficulties and is the exact recipe to help us get through the ups and downs of life. This is a truly, amazing book that I greatly enjoyed. It stays true to how family relationships are like. Being a member of a three child family, I can understand how each characters is feeling and is amazed at how it greatly relate to how I feel for my siblings at times. I both hated and love my siblings at the same time. Sometimes it may get so frustrating that I vow never to talk to them ever again but it is always love that turns out to be the winner for I always forgive the wrongs they did at times and is able to embrace the frustrating side of my siblings for I love them and love them just the way they are just like the characters Anita Desai portrayed in this book. The beautiful and easily accessible language makes it a very enjoyable book to read. The language is filled with so much emotions and passion, that it sometimes feel like I am reading a prose with some poetic element in it. Anita Desai has also skillfully put in many insightful views to what life is and helps us to be both expectant of the bad sides of the world and yet be optimistic to the good sides of the world. However at times, the plot seems to be developing at a slow rate with no great climax in the story, in fact it is a book that is presented almost in a monotone that makes readers to hope for more movements in the story. However I like it just the way it is, for life does not always consist of shocking, exciting events like the made up stories from fictions, in fact life is rather dull, boring at times and most of the time is spent on waiting for something to happen just like the events and the tone of the book. This is a passionately, beautifully written domestic drama that is definitely a must to read. Get it now! 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, March 26, 2000 By  Roger C. Sealy (Media, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Clear Light of Day (Paperback) This was a book that kept my interest from the beginning, in large part because of the expert characterization of the central characters. It is both depressing and optimistic; the characters mostly are constrained by their personality and history, yet at the end are able to transcend themselves. It seems that in returning to what they are attempting to escape from - the family - they are finally able to become whole. Their flashes of insight and the author's analysis may seem contrived at times, but it's difficult to imagine how it could be expressed better. 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Can reading get any better?, October 20, 1998 By A Customer This review is from: Clear Light of Day (Paperback) Quiet, sensitive writing is the hallmark of the author - where words and sentences are never wasted. Like a good feeling it seeps into you - a feeling that is unfortunately sad yet warm. I cried profusely as I read and reread the last few pages. I am sure every reader will find something to identify with when they read the book.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 2.0 out of 5 stars Superfluous and slow; leading nowhere.. If your reading this for the historical context, I can understand why you might give this book a higher rating. Read more Published on October 5, 2007 by Andre Gordon 2.0 out of 5 stars the book that made me drop Asian Lit Let me start out by being fair - if you know a lot about Indian history/culture this book MAY interest you even if the first 50 pgs. are excruciatingly slow. Read more Published on September 5, 2006 by College student & Fantasy lover 5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful novel about the divising of the Indian subcontinent The partition of the Indian subcontinent into two nations has held sway over the Indian imagination for more than three decades. Read more Published on January 27, 2006 by John Gabree 4.0 out of 5 stars Patience Pays Off I think Ms. Desai would capture the heart of any woman of Indian origin. The book does start of very slowly but nevertheless beckons your patience. Read more Published on August 25, 2000 by Farah Ahmad 4.0 out of 5 stars The story line is slow very slow The main character is a manic depressive woman who is very annoyed with life because it is unfair, and she ended up in the wrong side of the table. Read more Published on February 10, 2000 by Juan Carlos Uribe 5.0 out of 5 stars Read it Today! A fantastic work by Desai. This is a story of love and conflict among members of one family. Very passionately and delicately written, this book immerses one into ocean of... Read more Published on February 22, 1999 5.0 out of 5 stars The Best ! This is the best book I have ever read. Anita Desai has beautifuly crafted this book. She is one those rare authors who have depicted Indian settings in a truthful and spirited... Read more Published on December 16, 1998 4.0 out of 5 stars Astounding truthfulness of a families sorrows and joys Anita Desai's, "Clear Light of Day," was assigned to me by my college professor. Reluctantly I read it. Read more Published on December 12, 1998 5.0 out of 5 stars Classic! A Piece of Art Anita Desai captures truth of life in an manner that captivates you and keeps you drawn to the last page. Read more Published on November 30, 1998 5.0 out of 5 stars Clear Light of Day is almost the perfect novel. I've read this book three times, and every time I wept for the astounding truth it forced me to face. Read more Published on February 11, 1998 by [e-mail] Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books; Reprint edition (September 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618074511
• ISBN-13: 978-0618074518
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #300,120 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #4 in

  Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( D ) > Desai, Anita

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very truthful, warm and touching domestic drama., January 12, 2006

By	Li (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This is a very warming, touching book about family interactions, moments of happiness and moments of sadness all intertwined together to become what life is, a series of events, sometimes good, sometimes bad, what comes, comes. What is gone is gone just like the snail mentioned in the book that was found by the characters at times but only to lose the pearl again where the cycle repeats itself. This is a story that informs us about the ups and downs in life and how everyone faces it differently. To do so, the author cleverly uses true realistic characters to portray this

Each member of the Das family is distinctly unique. It is a touching story about how distinctly different each individual is and how each has their own separate lives, keeping them apart from each other. Bimla is independent and intelligent and is able to survive on her own without the help of others but unfortunately she is very dissatisfied with life. Tara, unlike her elder sister, is not ambitious and is very dependent. All she wanted is to find a life where she will not have to take responsibility and have no need to worry about her life which she succeeded in finding an ambassador as her husband. Lastly Raja, the elder brother, who is ambitious and has always dreamt of being the hero ended up as a successful, well-off man. With each leading a different life, each has a different view of things and this leads to many conflicts between the siblings.

However no matter how different they are, they grew up together, shared many precious moments together, creating a bond that can never be broken, love. Love is what connected them to each other. Love teaches the characters how to forgive and forget, how to compromise with one another with compassion, how to move on and how to stand side by side with each other to face the world together. Especially to Bimla who had melted her anger and learn to love the world again for what it is with the help of her loving sister, Tara. Love will overcome all differences and difficulties and is the exact recipe to help us get through the ups and downs of life.

This is a truly, amazing book that I greatly enjoyed. It stays true to how family relationships are like. Being a member of a three child family, I can understand how each characters is feeling and is amazed at how it greatly relate to how I feel for my siblings at times. I both hated and love my siblings at the same time. Sometimes it may get so frustrating that I vow never to talk to them ever again but it is always love that turns out to be the winner for I always forgive the wrongs they did at times and is able to embrace the frustrating side of my siblings for I love them and love them just the way they are just like the characters Anita Desai portrayed in this book.

The beautiful and easily accessible language makes it a very enjoyable book to read. The language is filled with so much emotions and passion, that it sometimes feel like I am reading a prose with some poetic element in it. Anita Desai has also skillfully put in many insightful views to what life is and helps us to be both expectant of the bad sides of the world and yet be optimistic to the good sides of the world.
However at times, the plot seems to be developing at a slow rate with no great climax in the story, in fact it is a book that is presented almost in a monotone that makes readers to hope for more movements in the story. However I like it just the way it is, for life does not always consist of shocking, exciting events like the made up stories from fictions, in fact life is rather dull, boring at times and most of the time is spent on waiting for something to happen just like the events and the tone of the book.

This is a passionately, beautifully written domestic drama that is definitely a must to read. Get it now!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, March 26, 2000

By	Roger C. Sealy (Media, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Clear Light of Day (Paperback)

This was a book that kept my interest from the beginning, in large part because of the expert characterization of the central characters. It is both depressing and optimistic; the characters mostly are constrained by their personality and history, yet at the end are able to transcend themselves. It seems that in returning to what they are attempting to escape from - the family - they are finally able to become whole. Their flashes of insight and the author's analysis may seem contrived at times, but it's difficult to imagine how it could be expressed better.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can reading get any better?, October 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Clear Light of Day (Paperback)

Quiet, sensitive writing is the hallmark of the author - where words and sentences are never wasted. Like a good feeling it seeps into you - a feeling that is unfortunately sad yet warm. I cried profusely as I read and reread the last few pages. I am sure every reader will find something to identify with when they read the book.