The Night Diary: August 15, 1947–August 20, 1947

by Veera Hiranandani
In 1947, British India was divided into two separate and independent countries: India, a mostly Hindu nation, and Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim nation. The partition leaves Nisha, a girl with both Hindu and Muslim heritage, without a clear place to call home. She and her family must make a treacherous journey to try to find a safe haven in a country rocked by turmoil and violence.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: July 14, 1947–August 1, 1947; August 2, 1947–August 8, 1947; August 15, 1947–August 20, 1947; August 21, 1947–August 30, 1947; August 31, 1947–November 10, 1947
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. stern
    serious and harsh in manner or behavior
    There has been packing and Dadi trying to hide her crying and lots of stern explaining from Papa.
  2. upholster
    provide furniture with comfortable padding or covers
    I know that we have British furniture in our bungalow, like the upholstered wooden chairs in the sitting room and our large oval dining table and English china.
  3. refugee
    an exile who flees for safety
    I heard Papa telling Dadi there are riots everywhere and, if we don’t leave, we could be killed or taken to a refugee camp.
  4. rustling
    a light noise, like leaves blowing in the wind
    I could hear the rustling of birds and insects and other creatures settling into the evening.
  5. kerchief
    a square scarf folded into a triangle and worn over the head
    I took the kerchief and wiped my nose and eyes, my chest feeling a little lighter.
  6. fragile
    vulnerably delicate
    Somehow everyone knew that this was not a time for talking, as if the loud words placed in the fragile air would break something.
  7. smolder
    have strong suppressed feelings
    But in the last few days, I could see an anger always behind his eyes, smoldering.
  8. harsh
    unpleasantly stern
    “Go,” he said in a harsh whisper, pushing at our backs.
  9. pang
    a sudden sharp feeling
    Then I felt the pang of guilt I always did when I wanted Amil to push Papa for answers.
  10. tapestry
    a wall hanging of heavy fabric with pictorial designs
    There’s a small tapestry that hangs on the wall of the front room and that’s it.
  11. hoarse
    deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness
    “One good-bye is enough, I think,” Papa said in a hoarse tone.
  12. frayed
    worn away or tattered along the edges
    While I walked I thought about Dee, thought about her frayed orange and gold sari and the red color painted on her tiny lips.
  13. sari
    a draped dress worn primarily by Hindu women
    While I walked I thought about Dee, thought about her frayed orange and gold sari and the red color painted on her tiny lips.
  14. jumpy
    in a very tense state
    I didn’t want to take my diary out in front of everyone and have Papa see, but it’s a habit now, a jumpy feeling that starts in my fingers at night.
  15. wiry
    lean but strong
    But Amil is so wiry and thin, like a twig you could easily snap in half.
  16. tense
    become nervous or uneasy
    My whole body tensed.
  17. regret
    sadness associated with some wrong or disappointment
    Then Papa’s face would collapse, and I could see the regret in his eyes.
  18. brisk
    quick and energetic
    He briskly wiped the tears that started to fall off Amil’s face.
  19. elegant
    refined and tasteful in appearance, behavior, or style
    I want to be like you were, Mama, bright and elegant, creating beauty all around you, always kind.
  20. custard
    sweetened mixture of milk and eggs baked or boiled or frozen
    After only eating old roti and dal and not much water, it was like eating a fruit custard made out of honey and butter.
Created on Tue Dec 04 19:10:41 EST 2018 (updated Fri Dec 14 10:00:16 EST 2018)

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