The author’s connection to this history makes the book even more compelling.Īlthough “The Night Diary” takes place seven decades ago, the issues of religious intolerance and refugees are strikingly contemporary. Just like Nisha’s family, they had to start over again in a new place as refugees. In the “Author’s Note,” Hiranandani explains that this novel is loosely based on the journey her grandfather made from Mirpur Khas to Jodhpur with his parents and siblings. And always the question, why? Why does everything have to change just because there is a new line drawn on a map. Their journey is harrowing, both in perils they experience and violence they witness. Why have former friends become enemies? Why does her family have to move? Why can’t their cook come with them? Her family leaves almost everything behind as they set out on foot, with the goal of walking ten miles per day. Partition changes everything in ways that are incomprehensible to Nisha. Their neighborhood and school are a mix of religions working and playing together. The family is Hindu, while family cook and Nisha’s closest friend, is Muslim.
Nisha’s mother, a Muslim, died when Nisha and her twin brother were born. “The Night Diary” is the story of one family, told by Nisha-a twelve year old girl, who lived through this tumultuous time. This decision led to a mass migration in which 14 million people crossed borders and over one million people died from the violence occurring.
The country of Pakistan was created for Muslims while India was designated for Hindus and other religions. However, what many people don’t recall is the political upheaval that begin in 1947, when the British granted independence to India and the country was partitioned. Many people rememeber Mahatma Gandhi largely because of his nonviolent, antiwar activism.
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