Reviews

Le Jeûne et le festin by Anita Desai

s24's review against another edition

1.0

The lowest I have given any book, and the one star is there only because of the first part. While not the best I have read, the first part had a simple charm, and I had picked this book up for the Indian background, and the first half gave me a lot of that. The second half, in my opinion, was simply unnecessary. While I get that the author tried to draw a contrast between the two halves, fasting v/s feasting, the second half was boring, too long, and the characters bleak and uninteresting. The 'concept' of the book is worthy of three or four stars, but the execution?

Not so much.

ellsoquent's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

venn22's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Fasting, Feasting tells the story of a plain girl Uma deprived of the luxuries of life and is fated to watch her siblings recieve what she couldn't.

This book draws a contrast between Uma and the people around her. While she stays still in place, she observes those around her progress faster than she ever could.

Throughout the book, I found myself feeling sorry for Uma and her misfortunes. I found myself in her and her inhibition. All things considered, Fasting Feasting is a thoughtful and reflective read. 

toritwisted's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

wyeaye84's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bharn's review against another edition

2.0

The only thing that kept me in this book was the beautiful writing, i didnt really enjoy the plot. Part two was easier for me to read than part one

thenurc's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

finitha's review against another edition

5.0

Title indicates the two parts of the novel - Uma is the fasting portion as she is of the 'second sex' and Arun is the feasting one. Two parts give two different aspects of the same Indian family.
Novel is a brief glance to the condition of Indian women. Some of the problems are resolved now, but Anamikas are still there and skin colour is a great issue in marriage market as our advertisements remind us everyday.
Desai's is a brilliant depiction of Indian family and the prose is easy to read and quite beautiful. This is a must read work.
--- the second part, Arun's life in U.S., is boring. It is felt as a digression.
--- Book was shortlisted for Booker Prize

thebookishtales's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.0

hutchy900's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated