42 pages • 1 hour read
Anita DesaiClear Light of Day
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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.