Clear Light of Day

Book Description

Set in India's Old Delhi, CLEAR LIGHT OF DAY is Anita Desai's tender, warm, and compassionate novel about family scars, the ability to forgive and forget, and the trials and tribulations of familial love. At the novel's heart are the moving relationships between the members of the Das family, who have grown apart from each other. Bimla is a dissatisfied but ambitious teacher at a women's college who lives in her childhood home, where she cares for her mentally challenged brother, Baba. Tara is her younger, unambitious, estranged sister, married and with children of her own. Raja is their popular, brilliant, and successful brother. When Tara returns for a visit with Bimla and Baba, old memories and tensions resurface and blend into a domestic drama that is intensely beautiful and leads to profound self-understanding.

Customer Reviews:

Superfluous and slow; leading nowhere.. .......2007-10-06

If your reading this for the historical context, I can understand why you might give this book a higher rating. If your going to read it for the story itself you might be disappointed... the book goes nowhere slowly...very slowly. Its almost as if the author is trying to prove her obvious mastery of descriptive language at the expense of the story itself.

the book that made me drop Asian Lit.......2006-09-06

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. Otherwise, you will have a hard time understanding the value behind what the characters do. The whole plot revolves around the woman's place in Indian society & more specifically, Bimla's conflict with her brother, Raja. The conflict seems to begin resolving itself in the last 15 pgs, but the author does not take the time to write out the final scene between sister & brother. Very difficult book to enjoy with no satisfactory conclusion.

Thoughtful novel about the divising of the Indian subcontinent.......2006-01-28

The partition of the Indian subcontinent into two nations has held sway over the Indian imagination for more than three decades. In fiction and in films, the troubles figure as watershed and as metaphor, having as much force for Indians today as the Civil War had for Americans at the turn of the last century, although with the important difference that the War Between the States left this country united rather than divided.

The shadow of partition falls heavily on the characters in this novel by the distinguished Bombay storyteller Anita Desai. In place of neo-Marxist realism or Kiplingesque romanticism, two favorite Indian modes, "Clear Light of Day" is a hauntingly beautiful story of a bourgeois family's struggle against the forces of disintegration. Two sisters, long separated by distance and life-style, take stock of their family's lives and their own. Tara, beautiful and worldly, has returned from living abroad as the wife of a diplomat. Bim, conventional and competent, has never left Old Delhi where she cares for their younger brother Baba. Their older brother, whose childhood ambition was to be a hero, has married a Moslem and become a successful businessman.

"Clear Light of Day" is an ironic title for a novel so preoccupied with the shadowy border between illusion and reality. Memory forever shields most events from the clear light of day. We who conduct our lives without apparent reference to the momentous times we inhabit will discover new ways of seeing ourselves as we wander in the dying gardens of this thoughtful, imaginative and expressively written book.

A very truthful, warm and touching domestic drama. .......2006-01-12

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!

Patience Pays Off.......2000-08-26

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. Bimla, Tara, Raj and Mira Masi are not the most admirable characters, yet they touch you so. Despite the underlying depression, I could not help but smile!

Average customer rating:

Clear Light of Day
Anita Desai
Manufacturer: Harper & Row, Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O0E7DW

Average customer rating:

Clear Light of Day
Anita Desai
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OIV85O

Average customer rating:

The Clear Light of Day
Penelope Wilcock
Manufacturer: David C. Cook Distribution
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

The Hawk and the Dove Trilogy

ASIN: 0781445531

Book Description

Recently ordained and more recently divorced, Reverend Esme Browne finds herself at an uncomfortable crossroads when stationed at the Portland Road Chapel. In addition to the seaside town, she also now bears the spiritual responsibility for two country chapels, which, for the efficient, well-versed, forty-something lifelong student should be exciting, invigorating and even hopeful. Esme, however, has forgotten how to pray, and, she fears, how to feel.

A chance encounter with an eccentric pair of country gnostics may change all that, but she'll have to be willing to juggle the demands of the Church, her parishes and a bevy of well intended but nibby neighbours, before she'll know for sure.

Features and Benefits

Esme's dilemmas of balancing career with her personal life resonate with women of any profession.

Average customer rating:

CLEAR LIGHT OF DAY
ANITA DESAI
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ8IMO

Average customer rating:

Clear Light Of Day
Desai
Manufacturer: Harper & Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JGVXK6

Average customer rating:

Clear Light of Day
Anita Desai
Manufacturer: VINTAGE (RAND)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OGOYFW

Average customer rating:

Clear Light of Day
Anita Desai
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OIXLZE

Average customer rating:

Clean, Practical, Fun, Cute. Classic Betty Neels.

She cooks, cleans and types-my kind of woman.

Let's hear it for nice country girls with sharp tongues !

Let's hear it for nice country girls with sharp tongues !

Let's hear it for nice country girls with sharp tongues !
An Old-Fashioned Girl: The Best Of Betty Neels
Betty Neels
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Neels, Betty | ( N ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Happy Meeting (Harlequin Romance, No. 3267)

Waiting For Deborah The Best Of Betty Neels (Reader's Choice)

Wedding Bells for Beatrice (Reader's Choice)

When Two Paths Meet (Harlequin Romance, No 2956)

The Little Dragon (Best of Betty Neels)

ASIN: 0373512562

Book Description

How could she make him notice her?

Patience knew she couldn't be more different form the sort of women Dutch surgeon Julius van der Beek seemed to attract. After all she was a quiet country girl with a somewhat unique taste in clothes -- and an assertive personality to match! Yet she was attracted to him. Not that she had a hope of making him notice her, particularly with the glamorous Sylvia van Teule already at his side. . .

Customer Reviews:

Clean, Practical, Fun, Cute. Classic Betty Neels........2006-01-12

Patience Martin has two elderly aunts who struggle with the idea that a pound does not go as far as it once did, a manor home she is trying to let to anyone who could afford it, a small town home she is letting from someone else, and few skills marketable in her small home town. At first, prospects seem dim to her, until she learns that a tenant has let the manor home for six months, and is willing to hire her as a liason between his housekeeper and the townspeople. The tenant's dog is agreeable, but the tenant and his housekeeper are not. Fortunately, practical Patience can put up with anything. A snow storm, a manuscript in a poor hand, an adventure in the big city, a trip to the Netherlands, and a disappointment later, life seems no longer so dim.

The overall descriptor for this book is "darling." For those more accustomed to racing hearts and dramatic plot twists, it will seem very vanilla. For those seeking it, it presents a refreshing break from the current tendencies of romance toward erotica.

The pace is very measured. The reader cannot predict very little of what happens, but, as such, the continuity is flawless and the progression highly logical. Though Patience does not experience dire agony, the pain and worry she feels translates as very real to the reader.

There is but one flaw in the book, and it is more a flaw produced by the progression of time than by the story. Anyone who has ever read any Georgette Heyer may have experienced the same thing: the heroine seems to have very little in the way of ultimate control over her circumstances. Now dwelling in a world of self-made men and women, a reader must make an effort to revert to a 1940s and 1950s mindset to avoid asking questions of "Why did she not do/say this?"

Enjoy reading this book. It is quite worth the effort.

She cooks, cleans and types-my kind of woman........2002-11-06

The reviewer from Decatur, GA has described the plot. This is another good story from Betty Neels. It's just about the same plot--doctor, plain girl, beautiful villan(ess). The descriptions of England, Holland, and the various foods eaten are always interesting. All I can say against it is there is no sex, but that's not why I read Ms. Neels--I read them because most of the time the heroine is plain and she gets the prince.

Let's hear it for nice country girls with sharp tongues !.......2001-11-05

Cover: The doctor meets his match .....
Patience Martin is a county girl with a sharp tongue and absolutely no interest in the latest fashions. She's hardly the sort of woman who normally attracts the attention of wealthy Dutch surgeon Julius van der Beek!
But something about Patience makes her stand out - and it isn't just because they were snowbound together. Not that it means he'll fall in love with her - not with the glamorous Sylvia van Teule making it clear she expects to become his wife ....
This is yet another of Betty Neels' charming tales of a brave, practical loving heroine who is living with two elderly aunts and making a living as best they can after suffering a severe setback in financial circumstances. Patience is a no-nonsense compassionate hard-working woman whose capabilities are finally recognized and appreciated by the Hero. You will be charmed by the heroine's love for her aunts and the way she protects them from the unpleasant aspects of their current life. You will laugh out loud when the adorable tyke involved in the story sticks out her tongue at the widow stalking our hero! :)

Let's hear it for nice country girls with sharp tongues !.......2001-11-05

Average customer rating:

Not Free SF Reader

Middling bridge does little to advance the story

Another Great Installment

the saga continues in full force

Not as good, but still entertaining.

The Phoenix Exultant: The Golden Age, Volume 2 (The Golden Age)
John C. Wright
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Golden Transcendence: Or, The Last of the Masquerade (The Golden Age)

The Golden Age (The Golden Age)

Mists of Everness (The War of the Dreaming)

Orphans of Chaos

Old Man's War

ASIN: 0765343541

Book Description

The Phoenix Exultant is a continuation of the story begun in The Golden Age and like it, a grand space opera in the tradition of Jack Vance and Roger Zelazny (with a touch of Cordwainer Smith-style invention).At the conclusion of the first book, Phaethon of Radamanthus House, was left an exile from his life of power and privilege. Now he embarks upon a quest across the transformed solar system--Jupiter is a second sun, Mars and Venus terraformed, humanity immortal--among humans, intelligent machines, and bizarre life forms, to recover his memory, to regain his place in society and to move that society away from stagnation and toward the stars. And most of all Phaethon's quest is to regain ownership of the magnificent starship, the Phoenix Exultant, the most wonderful ship ever built, and fly her to the stars.The Phoenix Exultantis an astounding story of super science, a thrilling wonder story that recaptures the verve of SF's golden age writers It is a suitably grand and stirring fulfillment of the promise shown in The Golden Age and confirms John C. Wright as a major new talent in the field. He concludes the Golden Age trilogy in The Golden Transcendence.

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

This is a direct contination of the story begun in the first book, The
Golden Age. Our hero is now an outcast, as those in charge do not want
him around, and work out how to get rid of him. He now must make his
way among an outcast society, with no resources or assistance.

However, he does manager to garner allies, and meet some notable
characters, such as the last soldier in existence, who are able to give
him some clues.

Middling bridge does little to advance the story.......2006-10-23

You just know going into it that nothing much is going to happen in this second volume of The Golden Age trilogy, that author John C Wright is simply setting the stage for the last chapter. You know this not only because that's the way most trilogies are structured, but also because you've read that the publisher broke off this section of what was planned as a two-part work to make a financially rewarding third installment.

The Phoenix Exultant opens with our hero Phaethon beginning his exile on the Sri Lankan island of Talaimannar, a community of temporary and permanent exiles, a motley collection of the degenerate, the slothful and the drug and simulation addicted. True to his character, Phaethon upsets the established order by usurping what passes for the community's work boss and drug/sim supplier and launching small work projects to help his fellow exiles gain some degree of financial independence, projects from which Phaethon skims his share in order to buy communication time with the Neptunians, with whom he seals a contract to pilot his ship, the Phoenix Exultant. While amongst the lost, Phaethon meets up with another incarnation of Daphne, sent to help him escape his exile but who in the end seems to play no more significant role than comedic sidekick. Also on hand is Atkins, Earth's last soldier, an immortal military cliché who because of his existence outside the main computer net is able to help clarify bits of the plot.

By the time you open the first chapter of The Golden Transcendence, the concluding volume of this trilogy, which begins like the first, with Phaeton having lost his memory, you realize you were right, that you could have perhaps read the last chapter or two of The Phoenix Exultant and not really missed anything of any great significance to the overall story. You would have also sparred yourself a pious exposition on poverty, "strength-of-the-will" bromides that when alluded to amongst Phaethon's social and economic peers were unremarkable, but when doled out barefaced to the dispossessed tend to stick in the craw.

Even so, Wright has done such a spectacular job imagining his world and his characters that it's easy to overlook these flaws and simply enjoy spending a few hours in The Golden Age.

Another Great Installment.......2006-07-09

The second installment of the Golden Age trilogy is every bit as enjoyable as the first. The book should not be read on it's own because it is a direct continuation of the first book, The Golden Age. The Golden Age saga is one long story, divided into three parts only because you couldn't contain the entire thing between two covers. After thousands of years, humans have evolved to a point that would be incomprehensible to our ancestors, integrating advanced technology into our biology, resulting in what appears to be a near utopian existence. Philosophical issues involving self determination and artificial intelligence, among others, are explored throughout the story making for a very thought provoking experience. I highly recommend this far future epic to all science fiction lovers as well as those interested in philosophical discussion.

the saga continues in full force.......2006-07-06

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

THE STORY:
Continuing right where Book1: The Golden Age left off, we find Phaethon exiled from society as he knows it. This story is of his attempt to rise to power in a society where it is a crime to associate with Phaethon, as he works to regain control of his ship, The Phoenix Exultant, and still live out his dream of reaching the stars.

THE BOOK:
In this second of a trilogy the author looses much of the ethical debates of the first book for one more physical in action. There still exists debates to boot, but the majority of the book is our protagonist and his allies working their way through the murk of deception and technology in order to identify who Phaethon's true enemy is and how a broke exile could leverage the system to gain him control of his ship again.

The setting, though away from the Peers and the rest of the Transcendence, remains vivid and colorful. Even in the areas of exiles and rejects, technology still is an overpowering force that governs the actions of men and Phaethon utilizes this to his advantage wherever possible.

The allies that emerge leave the reader glad for Phaethon and cheering...expectant of what is to come. Phaethon continues to show his intelligence as a protagonist which allows him to overcome obstacles that most of us would have shyed away from.

The story ends where one must again keep reading into the next book, but that isn't a bad thing. That just means a great story continues.

OVERALL:
If you've read the first book and enjoyed it you must keep reading. Once you read this book you'll feel compelled to keep reading more, as I am. So off I go to start the finale to this epic space saga. Don't miss out, get it and read it!

Not as good, but still entertaining........2005-12-13

How would you survive in a society where people, computers, and even the equivalent of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) refuse to acknowledge your existence? That's essentially the dilemma faced by Phaeton in "The Phoenix Exultant," which isn't quite as strong as its predecessor "The Golden Age" (2002). The story isn't so much about Phaeton's starship (which the book is titled after), as it is about his continued efforts to recapture it (and the recurring hurdles which get in his way). There are some twists and turns involving a clone of Phaeton's wife Daphne, who is convinced she's "the real deal."

"The Phoenix Exultant" is strong until two-thirds of the way through, when it takes a sudden left turn into a romance, followed by a comedy, but finally regains its footing to finish up just in time for the final book in the trilogy, "The Golden Transcendence" (2003). Those "odd" sections lend a different flavor to the narrative, but are a bit jarring, too.

Volumes two and three in this series are noted as being edited by David G. Hartwell, who also brings us "The Year's Best SF" series. Despite that, some spelling errors slip through. "Noumenal" (which denotes the technology for recording human personalities electronically) becomes "numenal" on two occasions, and a character is described as wearing a "back kimono." However, the web that Wright's storytelling weaves captivated me enough that I had to find out what happened next!

In all, slightly weaker, but still worth the effort... so you can move on to Volume 3!

Average customer rating:

Great book!

Get an extra copy or two to give away

Wonderful description to experience God

This book changed my life!!!

This book changed my life!!!

Intimate Friendship with God: Through Understanding the Fear of the Lord
Joy Dawson
Manufacturer: Chosen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Pentecostal | Protestantism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Charismatic | Worship & Devotion | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Forever Ruined For The Ordinary The Adventure Of Hearing And Obeying The Voice Of God

Knowing God (From Joy Dawson)

The Fire of God: Discovering Its Many Life Changing Purposes

Some of the Ways of God in Healing (From Joy Dawson)

Intercession: Thrilling, Fulfilling (From Joy Dawson)

ASIN: 0800790847

Book Description

Drawing on scripture and experience, Dawson invites readers to a deeply satisfying relationship with the God who calls us not servants, but friends.

Customer Reviews:

Great book!.......2006-03-10

This little book is worth reading more than once. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to really walk the Christian walk. Tired of hypocrites? Don't be one either. Each chapter is fast reading, but it goes very deep to the core of why we really decided to walk with Christ anyway. Knowing Jesus better helps us to be better; with Him as the center focus we become focused on what really matters in life. I have recommended this book to everyone who wants a close relationship with God.

Get an extra copy or two to give away.......2005-10-14

Before I became a pastor nine years ago, I read this book with my wife. It is one of the few books we keep a copy of in our bedroom. I make sure our booktable has a copy at the church...and I regularly still recommend this book.

It's the most balanced and penetrating study on the fear of the Lord I have ever read. It changed my understanding of God and spiritual living and has had a good effect on many people we work with regularly. If you are thinking about getting this book my only recommendation is that you buy extra copies because you will probably want to keep yours....instead of loaning it out.

Wonderful description to experience God.......2003-05-19

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ !!!
I was saved 14 years ago. At that time as a middle school student, I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit while I was in the prayer meeting in the end of the day of Church summer training. At the right time, I did not noticed what had happened to me and I could not understood God was trying to talk to me. Around 10 year later since then, I was able to pray every day morning to receive answer for my desperate life problems, and during my praying time, I came to convince that God have been continuously trying to speak to me. God showed his evidences so that I may not ignore His voice and signs any more. Samuel , the author of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, could answer to God after 3 times of God's call. But for me it took more than 10 years. Before I read this book, I myself had similar experiences as the Mrs. Joy wrote in this book. I was not sure what is the exact spiritual meaning is. Before I read the books of Mrs Joy, I made progress in the knowledge of the Spirit day by day very little. And as a result. I start to undertand a little part of spiritual things described in bible, by Jesus, Paul, prophets of old testament. The slow speed was majorly because I did not make enough memo and prayer concerning the all things which was happened to me. Now I think Mrs. Joy started and established good foundation to start our fellowship and talking with God, Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, who was known as Triune God or God the trinity. I have lots of things to exchange concerning the topics of Mrs. Joy's books.
...

This book changed my life!!!.......2001-11-25

I have been a christian for a long time. Never have my eyes been more opened, nor have I seen so clearly what the fear of the Lord truly means. I have longed for true intimacy with God for years. But until I read this book I always felt he was so far away, intangible and therefore I was unable to really, truly comprehend His love. Joy's book helped bring to life the true love of God and how much he desires intimacy with us all. The fear of the Lord? The age old interpretation couldn't be more wrong. All of this book blessed me, parts encouraged me and yet others convicted me. At times I felt such conviction I would look at it and not be able to pick it back up until I set right the cause of my conviction. What a powerful book! Every christian who truly seeks intimacy with God, should read and reread this book!

This book changed my life!!!.......2001-11-25

Average customer rating:

Intimate Friendship with God
Joy Dawson
Manufacturer: Kingsway Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OIJTOG

Average customer rating:

Intimate Friendship with God 1986
Joy Dawson
Manufacturer: Chosen Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000R45Y8C

Intimate Friendship with God : Through Understanding the Fear of the Lord

Average customer rating:

Intimate Friendship with God : Through Understanding the Fear of the Lord
Joy Dawson
Manufacturer: Chosen Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HM9HOG

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books