Fasting and Feasting is a compelling biography that charts the unconventional life of Patience Gray, the enigmatic and influential food writer who lived a life of voluntary simplicity long before it became a cultural trend. Adam Federman takes readers on a journey through Gray's life, from her upbringing in England and the trials she faced as a single mother during World War II to her impactful career as a designer, editor, translator, and author. Living in a remote Italian region without modern conveniences, Patience Gray embraced the principles of the Mediterranean diet and Slow Food movement, celebrating local cuisine and food gathering practices. Her understated yet profound influence on culinary perspectives makes her a pioneer, whose legacy of embracing sustainable and regional food principles continues to resonate in today's food culture.