Fasting, Feasting

This is a literary fiction novel about a traditional family navigating the delicate balance between duty and personal desire. Its central themes hinge on family expectations, cultural heritage, and the search for independence within a close-knit circle. The intended reader is adults who enjoy intimate, character-driven stories with emotional depth and subtle humor. The reading experience unfolds as a story-led, intimate portrait of life across two worlds—home in a tightly-knit Indian family and the unfamiliar landscape of a Western upbringing. The prose invites reflection through everyday rituals, conversations, and quiet moments that reveal how culture, tradition, and personal longing shape choices. The tone blends warmth, insight, and occasional wit to make complex decisions feel human and relatable. Distinctive for its cross-cultural perspective and multi-generational focus, the narrative invites readers into each character’s inner world while tracing the ripple effects of family dynamics. The writing is clear and evocative, letting both the everyday and the transformative moments breathe. Readers move through the book by connecting with the characters’ hopes, disappointments, and acts of quiet courage. - Intergenerational family dynamics and cross-cultural expectations - Character-driven storytelling that contrasts domestic life with life abroad - Rich, sensory prose that c