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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
kitkatkick's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer
amandalorianxo's review
emotional
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
4.0
I heard some rumbling and mumbling about people comparing this book to Evelyn Hugo? Why I thought ? What could these two books possibly have in common ? So I went for it and I am so happy I did. This is a lot better compared to Evelyn (in my opinion) The only similarities between the two ladies involve the theme of death but I think the way Dava handled it was managed better. It was thought out in more ways than one. This book also encompasses the issues of abandonment, adoption, interracial marriages, racism, and other complex family dynamics. Dava’s four children also have their own distinct personalities as well as the grandchildren. Diversity in characters and sexualities was a nice surprise. Dava is of Indian decent. Her children are a blend of her and her husband (who is not Indian.) Her eldest son is gay and we meet his husband & their children. Her youngest daughter is in a poly relationship with a married couple (although it’s revealed not to be a healthy one.) This takes you through a matter of days during the winter month of December as we realize Dava made an important decision and we are met with flashbacks & present day ideas of how everyone feels. A character driven novel that if you listen to the audio, you are welcomed to a short snippet of the song that Dava said was inspired by her !
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Death, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
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
sleeson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicide, Grief, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Death of parent
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