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. 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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
