Fasting, Feasting - Anita Desai

Uma the plain spinster daughter of a close-knit Indian family is trapped at home, smothered by her overbearing parents and their traditions, unlike her ambitious younger sister Aruna, who brings off a "good" marriage and brother Arun, the disappointing son and heir who is studying in America.

Why Read - I was lent this book by a friend who wanted to give me a selection to read.  This is the kind of book I want to read more of but never know where to start looking.

I liked the idea of this book more than the contents. The writing of a snapshot of life from a different culture.  The blurb on the back made it sound more interesting. I think the biggest let down was the lack of time frame for this story, we don't know how old she is as she skips through time and with each section is a tiny snapshot of what is going on. Leaves you wanting to hear more in depth detail of what exactly is going on.

Its a shame because most of the stuff that the author reveals is the kind of ideas and cultural references found everywhere but she doesn't expand on this or divulge.  Then the whole story comes to an abrupt stop - almost the same way as it has started with no conclusion.  Then tacked on the end is the story of her brother - another random insight into a very small section of his life - wether significant or not I'm not sure.

In conclusion - I wish this book had more to it. I loved the idea and wished she wrote a bit more in depth about some issues brushed upon in the story.  It didn't take long to read and some of it was fairly interesting.  But think their must be better tales of this type of culture out their on similar issues.