Book: Fasting, Feasting

"Fasting, Feasting" by Anita Desai is a poignant exploration of the contrasting lives of siblings Uma and Arun, set against the backdrop of India and the United States. The narrative unfolds in two parts, first focusing on Uma, the eldest daughter in a traditional Indian family. Confined by societal expectations and the demands of her parents, Uma's life is a series of thwarted desires and suffocating domesticity. Her world is marked by a longing for freedom and self-expression, which remains tantalizingly out of reach.

In contrast, the second part of the novel follows Arun, the youngest and only son, as he navigates life as a student in America. Despite his geographical and cultural escape, Arun grapples with alienation and the burdens of familial obligation. Desai masterfully contrasts the oppressive abundance of American life with the stark deprivation of Uma's existence, weaving a rich tapestry of themes such as family dynamics, societal norms, and the quest for personal identity. Through evocative prose and keen insight, "Fasting, Feasting" captures the universal struggle between duty and desire, tradition and change.