Upon the recent publication of Fasting, Feasting, critics raved about Anita Desai: "Desai is more than smart; she's an undeniable genius" (Washingt...
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Jun 25, 2009
Sandhya
rated it: 
Lot of imagery, lyricism in the language, so Anita Desai isn't always the easiest authors to read - especially if you want to get straight to the point. I remember reading Cry The Peacock several years ago and not really grasping much of it - a very mystifying novel with lots of symbols and imagery.
So when I took up her book of short stories -Diamond Dust, I did it with some amount of hesitancy. The first story actually put me off awith its dialogues - which I thought didn't sound 'I More...
So when I took up her book of short stories -Diamond Dust, I did it with some amount of hesitancy. The first story actually put me off awith its dialogues - which I thought didn't sound 'I More...
Jul 30, 2011
Josh
rated it:
This collection of stories is set in contemporary Indian cities, but the concerns are universal, reflecting experiences of urban life.
When seemingly simple childish games of hide-and-seek lead to the unveiling of a child’s sense of belonging and exclusion in the titular story that opens this collection, the reader begins to realize that children are not exempt from the intricacies of social politics.
In the stories that follow, Desai’s cast of characters who range from children, teenagers on the More...
When seemingly simple childish games of hide-and-seek lead to the unveiling of a child’s sense of belonging and exclusion in the titular story that opens this collection, the reader begins to realize that children are not exempt from the intricacies of social politics.
In the stories that follow, Desai’s cast of characters who range from children, teenagers on the More...
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Jan 09, 2011
Katherine
rated it: 
-from "Sale":
"The child sits on the mat beside her, silent, absorbed in the mysteries of a long-handled spoon which he turns over with soft, waverying fingers that are unaccustomed to the unsympathetic steel" (41).
-from “The Farewell Party”
“…moaned the grandparents who lived alone in their spotless house with a black Labrador who had made a habit of visiting the Ramans whenever he wanted young company, a romp on the lawn or an illicit biscuit” (95).
-fr More...
"The child sits on the mat beside her, silent, absorbed in the mysteries of a long-handled spoon which he turns over with soft, waverying fingers that are unaccustomed to the unsympathetic steel" (41).
-from “The Farewell Party”
“…moaned the grandparents who lived alone in their spotless house with a black Labrador who had made a habit of visiting the Ramans whenever he wanted young company, a romp on the lawn or an illicit biscuit” (95).
-fr More...
Feb 05, 2012
Manish
rated it: 
A wonderful collection of short stories from the inimitable Anita Desai. The best ones were probably the one recreating the buzz on a Himalayan highway caused by a stubborn driver refusing to move forward and the one detailing the travails of a single working woman living in a barsati in Delhi.
Feb 17, 2009
Vera
rated it:
So far, this year's challenge (Iran to Bangladesh, by book) is a winner. And only two books in!
Anita Desai writes delicate short stories of frustration and love and families. She has the ability to draw me into a sense of place so swiftly and completely I felt elsewhere whenever I was reading. I particularly liked the first, second and last stories, Royalty, Underground and The Rooftop Dwellers.
Moyna, the protagonist in The Rooftop Dwellers, just made me happy, in the en More...
Anita Desai writes delicate short stories of frustration and love and families. She has the ability to draw me into a sense of place so swiftly and completely I felt elsewhere whenever I was reading. I particularly liked the first, second and last stories, Royalty, Underground and The Rooftop Dwellers.
Moyna, the protagonist in The Rooftop Dwellers, just made me happy, in the en More...
Sep 02, 2010
Kate
rated it:
These were interesting. Not all about Indian families, it turned out. She's a great writer, and I loved the pictures she painted, but I was a little annoyed because I like my stories to have endings and hers mostly didn't. I just prefer closure to possibilities in my fiction.
Feb 06, 2011
Randa
rated it: 
Snapshots from the lives of ordinary people in Britain, Canada, India, and Mexico among others. These stories have rich descriptions but they do not really contain a plot in the traditional sense. They are best viewed as short vignettes in the lives of the people. There is a little shadow of sadness in all of them. My favourite was Rooftop Dwellers, the last story in the collection.
Dec 27, 2011
very disturbing stories..with mysterious inner meanings dat leave u depressed.not the sort of book i like..but i've noticed this deppressing way in her novels like 'cry the peacock'and 'wher shall we go this summer'.
Jun 17, 2010
Nora
rated it:
A quiet but deeply satisfying collection of short fictions detailing events that lead characters to irrevocably cross the invisible line separating their pasts from new experiences, new insights, and new existences.
Aug 06, 2011
SanjeeB
rated it:
Brilliant!! It's amazing the way she manipulates the English language to create vivid images and emotions!
Aug 16, 2009
Rahat
rated it:
Hit or miss.
On the whole, Anita Desai is an impressive writer. But I believe her short stories lacked cohesion; some stories just seemed pointless. Admittedly, each story was unique, but they lacked consistency.
However, the last one, The Rooftop Dwellers, was delightful and memorable. This story, I believe, saved the entire short story collection.
On the whole, Anita Desai is an impressive writer. But I believe her short stories lacked cohesion; some stories just seemed pointless. Admittedly, each story was unique, but they lacked consistency.
However, the last one, The Rooftop Dwellers, was delightful and memorable. This story, I believe, saved the entire short story collection.
Aug 29, 2011
Manda
rated it:
I enjoyed this book on the whole, but felt that the book was written to descibe or explain India to those who don't know it, and I was a bit fed up of the way things happen in India in the end. I wanted a tale about someone where India wasn't a part of the story.
Oct 27, 2010
Elaine
rated it:
I'm not a short story fan, but I'm very impressed with the stories in this book. Very well written, clear characterisation, and good storylines, but just too short.
It was an enjoyable and worthwhile read.
It was an enjoyable and worthwhile read.
Sep 01, 2007
Kavfrou
rated it:
is actually a dog known as the beast.
anita desai writes beautifully and even though i don't really like short stories, hers are compelling and intriguing.
I especially like the rooftop dwellers.
anita desai writes beautifully and even though i don't really like short stories, hers are compelling and intriguing.
I especially like the rooftop dwellers.
Jan 09, 2011
Milan/zzz
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I was coming back to this lovely collection from time to time and indeed Desai Senior is such a fantastic writer (in my opinion daughter should work much more to achieve her mother's level).
Jan 09, 2011
Alan
rated it:
read this a long time ago, and can't remember much about it, but in my old diary it says 'an excellent collection', so I might have another look at it.
Jan 09, 2011
Proactive, Effective
rated it: 
Umm...it is very exaggerated, to be honest. The author puts some very heavy wisdom into the thoughts of a young child, which makes it very biased.
Jun 19, 2007
Kate
rated it:
One of my favorite collections of short stories! Some of the word-images still come to mind even now. Beautifully written.
Jan 09, 2011
Zyan
rated it:
hate : pineapple cake
like : games at twilight
love : private tuition with mr.bose
scared of : surface texture
like : games at twilight
love : private tuition with mr.bose
scared of : surface texture
Jan 26, 2008
Gemma
rated it:
A very lovely book of short stories from Anita Desai. Occasionally funny, often melancholy and always perceptive.
Jan 30, 2012
