What distinguishes Desai's novel Fasting, Feasting from countless other depictions of airless and repressive households?

The New York Times reviewer stated, “What distinguishes Desai's novel from countless other depictions of airless and repressive households is the subtle and original way in which she makes us understand how much of our lives is encoded in and determined by tiny, repetitive, deceptively trivial decisions about what we will and won't eat... As in her previous novels, Desai employs a rich and subtle palette to convey her crisp, unsentimental view of character and behavior.” Publishers Weekly said, “Although Desai takes a risk in shifting from the endearing Uma to Arun, she has much to say in this graceful, supple novel about the inability of the families in either culture to nurture their children.”