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- General fiction - |
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Diamond Dust: Stories |
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 Diamond Dust: Stories byAnita Desai Chatto & Windus 207 pages, 2000 ISBN 0701169001 Reviewed by Faith Leslie - South Africa This is a collection of short stories by an accomplished writer of great style and delicacy. In a few paragraphs, Anita Desai conveys such an atmosphere that you feel you know the characters she portrays. The story which gives the book its title, touching and aptly sub-titled a tragedy, illustrates the author's power to evoke sympathy not only for Mr. Das but also for his wife, especially at the end of the story. The Artist's Life shows a young girl's perceptions of life and romance shattered, exposed for a sham, yet the reader feels a certain compassion as she realizes that life is not what she expected. Winterscape deals with the opposing cultures of East and West. Once more, one's heart is touched by the universal private agonies of the charaters. The variety and backgrounds of each story varies greatly, ranging from India to Canada, Mexico and England with authenticity and realism. The final story The Rooftop Dwellers portrays the difficulties and hazards of a young woman in modern-day India with perception, insight and sympathy. A delightful collection to be treasured. |
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