The Night Diary

Reader’s Review

An incredibly well-written fictional account of a family who have to escape to India during partition. The book is emotional, heart-breaking and harrowing, and would make for a great novel study. The relationship between family members is particularly well developed, especially between the main character and her twin brother. Sensitive readers may struggle with the near-death experience of some of the main characters as they walk to the border, as well as the violence they witness on the train. However the book is highly recommended for older readers who can appreciate the discussions about love and humanity. The book takes a neutral stance on the religious conflict, expressing the view that all sides partook in the violence.

To look out for 

• Islamic Values: The twins learn that their Hindu father fell in love with their Muslim mother and that their marriage was highly controversial. The girl observes her Muslim cook and her Hindu grandmother praying, and tries to combine the two for herself. The twins’ father is often gruff and unable to show them love because of his own problems.
• Romance: A brief mention is made of the twin brother drawing pictures for a girl he likes. Their father recalls how he fell in love with their mother.
• Violence: Numerous mentions are made of people being beaten and killed during the partition. Boys throw rocks at the the twin brother. Their Muslim cook is attacked because he works for a Hindu family. Along their journey to the border, the boy and his grandmother are near death because of the lack of food and water. One man cuts the hand of another over water. On the train the children witness people killing each other with knives.