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lovebun's review
4.0
a slice-of-life-esque collection of stories that invite you to contemplate the nature of intra- and interpersonal relationships. despite the various subject matter in each story, a creeping, meditative sentiment links them together. desai's prose is beautiful throughout, particularly in "the accompanist", which i still find particularly haunting years later.
litdoes's review
3.0
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 brink of adulthood, ordinary men and women, all grapple with their sense of place and purpose in society.
The chance sighting of a couple’s tender moment in the face of impeding death sparks a young student’s epiphany of life and mortality beyond the paper chase in ‘Studies in the Park’, an ageing father and his doctor son struggle with their differing expectations of filial piety in ‘A Devoted Sun’, a musician is forced to question if his contentment in his career as a mere tanpura player has been misplaced in ‘The Accompanist’.
In the closing story ‘Scholar and Gypsy’, Desai introduces foreign central characters, completing the collection’s concern with identity and displacement in a definitive manner.
An American couple, who arrive in Bombay with unequal expectations initially, sees a surprising development when the wife who has difficulty adapting to life in a foreign land, finds a sense of belonging that surpasses that of her homeland that she had been pining for.
Not exactly fabulous, but readable and tinged with pathos.
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 brink of adulthood, ordinary men and women, all grapple with their sense of place and purpose in society.
The chance sighting of a couple’s tender moment in the face of impeding death sparks a young student’s epiphany of life and mortality beyond the paper chase in ‘Studies in the Park’, an ageing father and his doctor son struggle with their differing expectations of filial piety in ‘A Devoted Sun’, a musician is forced to question if his contentment in his career as a mere tanpura player has been misplaced in ‘The Accompanist’.
In the closing story ‘Scholar and Gypsy’, Desai introduces foreign central characters, completing the collection’s concern with identity and displacement in a definitive manner.
An American couple, who arrive in Bombay with unequal expectations initially, sees a surprising development when the wife who has difficulty adapting to life in a foreign land, finds a sense of belonging that surpasses that of her homeland that she had been pining for.
Not exactly fabulous, but readable and tinged with pathos.
f18's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
4.5 ⭐ average
5 - Games at Twilight
5 - Private Tuition by Mr. Bose
4 - Studies in the Park
5 - Surface Textures
5 - Sale
4 - Pineapple Cake
5 - The Accompanist
4 - A Devoted Son
4.5 - The Farewell Party
4.5 - Pigeons at Daybreak
3.5 - Scholar and Gypsy
5 - Games at Twilight
5 - Private Tuition by Mr. Bose
4 - Studies in the Park
5 - Surface Textures
5 - Sale
4 - Pineapple Cake
5 - The Accompanist
4 - A Devoted Son
4.5 - The Farewell Party
4.5 - Pigeons at Daybreak
3.5 - Scholar and Gypsy
balancinghistorybooks's review
4.0
Anita Desai writes wonderfully, and Games at Twilight is a real jewel in the genre of short story collections. She presents many character-focused studies here; whilst India is present as the backdrop within almost all of the tales, it is the beings whom she has created which really spring to life. There is not a single tale here which failed to hold my interest, and each is remarkably culturally aware. Desai's use of senses, and the vividness which she builds, makes Games at Twilight a joy to read.
lemonadeaide's review
3.0
Some of the language in the stories from Games at Twilight is magnificent. There is a beautiful lyricism to a great deal of Desai's prose.
There are other passages, however, which are clumsy and verbose.
I have read several reviews that complain about the lack of endings to these stories, but I will go further and say that that the severe lack of action is much worse. It often seemed that just as a story was picking up steam, that something interesting would happen, it was over. I would have liked for these stories to be carried just a little bit farther.
All of the characters were well drawn. That appears to be Desai's greatest strength. She captures emotions quite well.
There are other passages, however, which are clumsy and verbose.
I have read several reviews that complain about the lack of endings to these stories, but I will go further and say that that the severe lack of action is much worse. It often seemed that just as a story was picking up steam, that something interesting would happen, it was over. I would have liked for these stories to be carried just a little bit farther.
All of the characters were well drawn. That appears to be Desai's greatest strength. She captures emotions quite well.
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