Desai, Anita (1937-...), is an Indian novelist who writes in English. Many of her novels deal with the emotional pressures on Indian women trying to express their independence. Desai also writes about family relationships and Indian society since the country's independence from the United Kingdom in 1947. Her other concerns include the conflicts between Eastern and Western cultures and between generations. Desai has received praise in particular for her expert use of descriptive detail in portraying the atmosphere and landscapes of India.