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kmmartin2000's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was a CHALLENGE for me to get through. I really liked the premise of the book, but the reality of the story took too long for me to become invested. It felt like there was a lot of unnecessary filler and unrelatable characters throughout the book. I really tried to like this book, but it just fell flat for me.
cassielaj's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think this book is magnificent. The concept, of a woman so obsessed with legacy that she publicizes her death early to read the coverage and brings her family together on a private island for her final moments, is bizarre at first.
But this story is raw and messy and stunning in so many ways. The extended Shastri-Persson family is made up of characters so complex and flawed that you have to remind yourself it's fiction. As the book progresses, it manages to address some of life's most existential questions about love, family, death, and legacy, but Ramisetti weaves them so expertly into the type of gossipy, can't-look-away, rich people family drama story that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Cancer, Grief, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcoholism and Infidelity
julesghouls27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really gotta stop sleeping on my reviews so I don't forget to come back to them.
I really enjoyed this book! I was a little nervous at first when the book opened with the POV of one of the handful of white characters in the book, but it quickly sucked me in. I didn't personally care for any of the characters, but I loved the variety and how differently flawed each one of them is. It just sucks when a book takes place in so little time (less than a week if a recall correctly) because it makes it harder to have significant arcs for the characters. Dava was the only character I thought got a proper arc, but that's moreso because she's on her deathbed and the only thing she'sable to really do is reflect on her life. And because her children are dealing with the fact she's about to die, along with the many other things going on in their lives, there's just too much and not enough time.
s_pack's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Ending was a bit dull but the book showed a unique perspective on death and a complicated family relationship
maggiesasha's review against another edition
3.0
i liked it, but it felt kind of long. everyone in the book was insufferable and after a while i got tired of it.
jeanrray's review against another edition
4.0
Liked the message of the story - emphasizing charity, legacy and meaningful living, though would’ve like a faster pace read. Maybe that’s the point, to sit and reflect which pretty much occurs the entire novel.
pattyfeme's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
javafenn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dana is dying so she brings her children to her beloved home to see out the last of her days before she dies by assisted suicide but not before she releases her obituary, before she’s even gone. What culminates is all of her children coming to terms with her death but also her life and her regrets in how she built an empire for them without taking the time to truly know them. This book was so sad but so happy. So fraught with generational trauma but also with care and love. Seeing how each child and their extended families dealt with Dava’s decisions was very interesting. It’s a great story of love and loss and the narrator was excellent.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Death, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Classism, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Addiction, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity