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55 pages 1 hour read

Fasting, Feasting

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

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Book Brief

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Anita Desai

Fasting, Feasting

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

228

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

India • 1970s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Fasting, Feasting by Anita Desai explores the contrasting lives of two Indian siblings, Uma and Arun. Uma, in India, struggles against the oppressive rules of her parents, seeking independence but repeatedly facing setbacks in education, marriage, and personal freedom. Arun, in the USA, encounters a different kind of alienation, navigating a dysfunctional host family and seeking self-determination amidst cultural dislocation. The book touches on disordered eating and family dysfunction.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Emotional

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.6

5,599 ratings

45%

Loved it

38%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Anita Desai's Fasting, Feasting explores cultural contrasts through captivating storytelling. Readers praise the vivid character portrayals and emotional depth. Critics note that the pacing can be slow and some plot aspects underdeveloped. Overall, it's a beautifully written exploration of family dynamics and societal expectations across cultures.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fasting, Feasting?

A reader who enjoys Fasting, Feasting by Anita Desai is likely captivated by cross-cultural narratives, intricate family dynamics, and internal character struggles. Fans of Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake and Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things will find similar themes of cultural identity and familial tension.

3.6

5,599 ratings

45%

Loved it

38%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

228

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

India • 1970s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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