Happy birthday Anita Desai! Check out her most popular works
Anita Desai turns 86 today. The renowned Indian novelist and children's author is a master at conveying mood and character using a variety of visual pictures in any theme or mood. The three-time Booker Prize finalist and Padma Bhushan awardee has many notable books to her credit. Join us as we explore a list of her renowned and noteworthy literary works.
'Clear Light of Day'
The book focuses on the complex relationships among family members living in Old Delhi. The story starts when the protagonists are adults and it moves backward in time to their childhoods before ending with a segment that takes place in their adulthood. It provides insight into the hardships and day-to-day activities of the family while exploring aspects like forgiveness, and the role of women.
'Fire on the Mountain'
The book tells the story of Nanda Kaul, an elderly widow who lives in Kasauli and leads a solitary life. Kaul's life is forever altered when her great-grandchild Raka shows up at her doorstep. The young girl, who is as reclusive as Nanda, lives in a similar bubble of solitude and a make-believe world. The book reflects on the world of Raka and Nanda.
'In Custody'
The novel that made it to the Booker Prize shortlist explores the quest for meaning in life. The protagonist, Deven Sharma, uses Urdu poetry as an outlet for his mundane life. Deven's conflicted nature mirrors the setting of the novel, depicting a post-partition India that encompasses elements of both the old and the new, as well as influences from the East and the West.
'Fasting, Feasting'
Fasting, Feasting is a story about the younger members of an Indian family who are struggling against the elder generation's traditions while feeling confused and lonely as immigrants. The book is divided into two parts: Part I, set in a strict and authoritarian household in India, and Part II, set in a cold and isolating home in the Massachusetts suburbs in the US.
'The Artist of Disappearance'
The Artist of Disappearance includes three tales that look at the displacement and abandonment caused by India's frantic push toward modernization. Each story, which takes place in modern-day India, is infused with local history and tradition. The novellas are connected by recurring themes of regret and restraint of creativity. Check out more such book recommendations.
