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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
nithyuh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Ok so this book had a lot of boring moments, but it definitely had some that pulled at your heart strings. For example, Dava’s letter to Chaitanya and her whole convo thing with her grandchildren and Sandi . The last chapter kinda made me really sentimental. I did appreciate the book for giving Telugu representation. I don’t know if I would recommend this book to someone because of all the inconsistencies and boring moments, but the heartfelt moments really do hit. This book has a close place in my heart though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
I love a complicated matriarch and Dava Shastri delivered on that front! Her obsession with legacy and her devotion to her philanthropic mission made her an equal parts admirable and frustrating figure. It was fascinating to see her last days through the eyes of her large, messy family and understand the ripple effects of her decisions—both ones she made years ago and ones she made in the months leading up to her death. I also appreciated this look at medically-assisted death and how every member of the family processed her choice in their own way. The audiobook was read by a talented narrator and included a little clip of the song "Dava," which was a lovely and unexpected treat.
Personally, I didn't have a problem keeping track of the characters because I found their personalities to be very distinctive. But I agree with reviewers who point out that all of the other family members were shallowly developed in comparison to Dava. I also thought this book was longer than it needed to be, especially given the aforementioned critique. All in all, this was a strong debut and I'm looking forward to Ramisetti's next book!
Personally, I didn't have a problem keeping track of the characters because I found their personalities to be very distinctive. But I agree with reviewers who point out that all of the other family members were shallowly developed in comparison to Dava. I also thought this book was longer than it needed to be, especially given the aforementioned critique. All in all, this was a strong debut and I'm looking forward to Ramisetti's next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cancer, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Infidelity
Minor: Domestic abuse
caseythereader's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Terminal illness, Cursing, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, and Sexual content
rebekistan's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
2treads's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What will be said about you when you die? How will you know? Maybe you could tweak the date of your death, as long as you had the opportunity and the power/money.
That's all Dava Shastri wants, pioneering music mogul and feminist philanthropist, so when the opportunity presents itself, she takes it. But then secrets start emerging and we get to see the real Dava, and she has definitely been untruthful and deceptive to those she loves.
I enjoyed the idea behind this narrative, I just wish it had been less self-serving, but then again wanting to know what the world thinks of you points to what seemed to me self-esteem issues. Which as a very successful mature woman, Dava should have moved beyond by now. But then again she is human and vulnerable.
What I disliked was the constant squabbling of the siblings, I wanted to smack the back of their heads and even though you could see sibling support, most times their interactions started out with snide jabs. And the fallout from their mother's announcement seemed to only enhance it.
What was done brilliantly was the opulent lifestyle and the privilege of never having wanted for anything. And although Dava had every right to provide for her kids, she never let them experience life without their cushions of wealth.
That's all Dava Shastri wants, pioneering music mogul and feminist philanthropist, so when the opportunity presents itself, she takes it. But then secrets start emerging and we get to see the real Dava, and she has definitely been untruthful and deceptive to those she loves.
I enjoyed the idea behind this narrative, I just wish it had been less self-serving, but then again wanting to know what the world thinks of you points to what seemed to me self-esteem issues. Which as a very successful mature woman, Dava should have moved beyond by now. But then again she is human and vulnerable.
What I disliked was the constant squabbling of the siblings, I wanted to smack the back of their heads and even though you could see sibling support, most times their interactions started out with snide jabs. And the fallout from their mother's announcement seemed to only enhance it.
What was done brilliantly was the opulent lifestyle and the privilege of never having wanted for anything. And although Dava had every right to provide for her kids, she never let them experience life without their cushions of wealth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Terminal illness
Minor: Domestic abuse
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