Diamond Dust” is a novel by Anita Desai published in 2000. The story takes place in the fictional town of Kasauli, India, and revolves around a family that has fallen on hard times. The novel is divided into three parts, each exploring different aspects of the Jha family’s lives and their interactions with the enigmatic David. The novel builds to a powerful conclusion that offers a profound meditation on family relationships, identity, and the search for meaning and purpose.
Theme
The novel explores various themes such as the complexities of family relationships, the search for identity and purpose, the power of memory and the impact of the past on the present, and the nature of betrayal and forgiveness. Through the experiences of the Jha family, the novel depicts the struggle to cope with loss, trauma, and uncertainty, and the resilience required to overcome these challenges.
Setting
The story is set in the fictional town of Kasauli, located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The town is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and is known for its scenic beauty and colonial-era architecture. The setting provides a rich backdrop for the story, as it evokes the contrasting themes of beauty and decay, tradition and modernity, and belonging and alienation.
Genre
“Diamond Dust” can be classified as a work of literary fiction. It is characterized by its emphasis on character development, nuanced exploration of themes, and lyrical prose style. The novel also contains elements of psychological suspense and mystery, as the plot revolves around the enigmatic figure of David and his impact on the Jha family.
Characters
Nanda Kaul: He is the patriarch of the Jha family and a former ambassador. Nanda is a proud and dignified man who values tradition and decorum. He is intelligent and reflective, and he is deeply concerned with issues of identity, legacy, and mortality.
Sarla Kaul: She is Nanda’s wife and the matriarch of the Jha family. Sarla is a strong and practical woman who values family above all else. She is compassionate and nurturing, but can also be fiercely protective of her loved ones.
Raka: She is a young girl who comes to live with the Jha family. Raka is mysterious and enigmatic, with a troubled past that she keeps hidden from others. She is introspective and philosophical, with a deep curiosity about the world and her place in it.
David: He is a traveler and a writer who becomes entangled with the Jha family. David is charismatic and charming, with a magnetic personality that draws others to him. He is also introspective and thoughtful, with a deep sensitivity to the world around him.
Minor Characters
Keki Daruwalla: He is a poet and a friend of Nanda’s. Keki is a charming and intellectual man who shares Nanda’s interest in history and culture. He provides a sounding board for Nanda’s musings on identity and legacy.
Mr. Roy: He is a neighbor of the Jha family who takes a romantic interest in Raka. Mr. Roy is an elderly and somewhat eccentric man who is infatuated with Raka’s beauty and mystery.
Jyoti: She is Sarla’s sister and the mother of two young children. Jyoti is a warm and nurturing woman who provides a contrast to Sarla’s more reserved personality.
Mrs. Shaw: She is an elderly neighbor of the Jha family who has a close relationship with Sarla. Mrs. Shaw is a kind and caring woman who provides support and comfort to Sarla during difficult times.
Summary
First Part
The novel opens with an introduction to the Jha family, who are struggling to make ends meet in their home in Kasauli, India. Nanda Kaul, the father, is a retired journalist who is attempting to write a book to earn some money. His wife, Sarla, is trying to manage their finances and keep the household running. Their daughter, Raka, is a quiet and introspective girl who is struggling to find her place in the world.
Desai sets the tone for the novel by emphasizing the family’s financial struggles and their sense of isolation in the small town of Kasauli. Through their conversations and interactions, the reader begins to get a sense of the tension and unease that pervades the household. Nanda is preoccupied with his writing and seems disconnected from his family, while Sarla is worried about their finances and feels overwhelmed by the responsibility of taking care of the house and family.
Raka, meanwhile, is depicted as a lonely and introverted teenager who spends much of her time reading or wandering around the town. She feels disconnected from her parents and struggles to connect with other teenagers in the town. Desai’s prose style is lyrical and evocative, capturing the mood of the family and the town through vivid descriptions of the scenery and setting.
As the first part of the novel progresses, the reader is introduced to Bishan, the Jha family’s servant. Bishan is depicted as a kind and loyal man who is devoted to the family. He provides a sense of stability and continuity in the household, as well as a sense of connection to the town and its history.
Through Bishan’s interactions with the family, the reader begins to get a sense of the family’s past and the events that have led them to their current situation. Nanda’s career as a journalist is alluded to, as is Sarla’s past as a teacher. Raka’s past is hinted at, but remains mysterious and elusive.
Overall, the first part of “Diamond Dust” sets the stage for the novel’s exploration of family relationships, identity, and the search for meaning and purpose. Desai’s prose style is rich and evocative, capturing the mood of the family and the town through vivid descriptions and subtle characterization. The reader is left with a sense of intrigue and curiosity about the family and their past, setting the stage for the novel’s subsequent events.
Second Part
The second part of the novel begins with the arrival of David, a mysterious and enigmatic man who takes up residence in a nearby cottage. David’s arrival has a profound impact on the Jha family, as they become increasingly obsessed with his presence and intrigued by his mysterious past.
David is depicted as a charming and charismatic figure who quickly becomes a source of fascination for the family. Nanda is intrigued by David’s past as a journalist and writer, while Sarla is drawn to his charisma and confidence. Raka, meanwhile, is initially wary of David, but becomes increasingly fascinated by him as she learns more about his past.
As the novel progresses, the reader learns more about David’s past and the events that led him to Kasauli. David is depicted as a troubled and haunted figure, haunted by memories of his past and struggling to find a sense of purpose and meaning in his life.
Through David’s interactions with the Jha family, the novel explores themes of identity, memory, and the search for meaning and purpose. David’s presence serves as a catalyst for the family’s own struggles and anxieties, as they are forced to confront their own past and present in the context of his mysterious presence.
Desai’s prose style is introspective and meditative, capturing the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters as they grapple with their own sense of identity and purpose. The novel is characterized by its nuanced exploration of complex themes, as well as its lyrical and evocative prose style.
As the second part of the novel progresses, the tension and unease that have been building throughout the novel come to a head, culminating in a shocking and unexpected event that has profound consequences for the Jha family and David himself. The reader is left with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, as the novel’s themes of memory, identity, and the search for meaning and purpose continue to resonate long after the final pages have been turned.
Third Part
The third part of the novel begins with the aftermath of the shocking event that occurred at the end of the second part. The Jha family and David are all reeling from the consequences of their actions, struggling to come to terms with what has happened and to find a way forward.
Desai’s prose style is introspective and meditative, as the characters reflect on their past and their present and try to make sense of the events that have led them to this point. The novel continues to explore themes of memory, identity, and the search for meaning and purpose, as the characters grapple with their own sense of self and their place in the world.
As the novel progresses, the Jha family and David are forced to confront the consequences of their actions, as well as the deeper issues that underlie their struggles. Nanda is forced to confront his own mortality, as he grapples with the realization that his time is running out. Sarla, meanwhile, is forced to confront her own sense of responsibility and her role as a caregiver for both Nanda and Raka.
Raka, who has been a central figure throughout the novel, is given more space to explore her own inner life and to come to her own conclusions about her identity and her future. Through her interactions with David and her own introspective musings, Raka begins to develop a sense of clarity and purpose, as she seeks to forge her own path in the world.
The novel builds to a poignant and powerful conclusion, as the characters confront their past and their present and seek to find a way forward. Desai’s prose style is evocative and lyrical, capturing the mood of the novel with subtlety and nuance.
Overall, the third part of “Diamond Dust” provides a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion to the novel’s exploration of family relationships, identity, and the search for meaning and purpose. Through its nuanced exploration of complex themes and its evocative prose style, “Diamond Dust” offers a profound meditation on the human condition and the struggles that define our lives.
The ending of “Diamond Dust” by Anita Desai is a powerful and poignant conclusion to the novel’s exploration of family relationships, identity, and the search for meaning and purpose.
In the final part of the novel, Raka’s troubled past is revealed, and she must come to terms with the traumas that have shaped her life. She also must confront the reality that she has been using David as a kind of surrogate father figure, and that her feelings for him may not be entirely pure.
Meanwhile, Nanda and Sarla grapple with their own mortality and the legacy they will leave behind. They also must come to terms with the fact that their children have grown up and moved on, leaving them alone in their old age.
In the novel’s climax, David leaves the Jha family, and Raka decides to return to her old life. Nanda and Sarla are left alone to reflect on their lives and their legacy. The novel ends with Nanda contemplating the beauty of the natural world and the fleeting nature of human existence, while Sarla looks back on her life with both regret and gratitude.
The ending of “Diamond Dust” is bittersweet, offering both a sense of loss and a sense of acceptance. It is a powerful meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with the people we love.